HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - The hope is that a vaccine will let us all eventually get back to some sort of normalcy but the path of getting the country vaccinated takes a lot of planning and effort.
Federal and state health officials have provided new information about what you can expect when you eventually get your vaccine.
Leaders with the Virginia Department of Health told News 3 that vaccination cards will come in vaccine kits that will be delivered to medical providers who will be distributing vaccines.
They said each person who is vaccinate will receive a vaccine card. The image of the card was recently released by the Department of Defense.
“It’s just a reminder they need to come back for a second dose. It’s going to help us know what shot you got and which one you need,” said Dr. Ryan Light with the Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group.
State officials said people in Virginia who get the vaccine will be put into a registry. Health experts say when approved, some of the vaccines have two doses and each dose needs to be given a few weeks apart.
Reports indicate that Moderna needs to be distributed four weeks apart and the Pfizer vaccine needs to be distributed three weeks apart.
State officials say the card will work as a reminder for the second dose and encourage people to take a picture of the card in case you lose it.
They also say when you get your first dose you will be asked to give your cell phone number so you can receive a text message reminder about your second dose.
Health and Human Services officials anticipate 20 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine could be distributed soon.
The CDC has recommended that healthcare workers, specifically those working on the front lines and nursing homes be among the first to get the vaccine.
Federal officials say it won’t be widely available until the spring but many are hoping sooner.