ARLINGTON, Va., Monday, March 01, 2021—To support Arlington County’s efforts to provide COVID-19 vaccines to its residents, the Arlington Democrats’ Rides to the Polls team is mobilizing its volunteers to help Arlington seniors navigate registering to receive the vaccine and securing appointments. The team also will provide rides to vaccine appointments.
“We’ve heard from neighbors and friends about the difficulties some seniors are having registering and making appointments,” said Mary Byrne, vice chair of the Arlington Democrats’ Ride to the Polls team. “Many residents with Internet access are confused by the registration portal, while those without computers face barriers in signing up. We’re hoping our assistance will be especially useful right now as the county transitions from its own vaccination platform to the commonwealth’s new Vaccinate Virginia system.”
Through March and April, Rides Team volunteers will phone Arlington residents 75 years and older, regardless of party affiliation, who do not live in the County’s senior living communities because most of those residents already are vaccinated or scheduled to receive vaccinations. “We want to focus on those living alone or in very small households,” Byrne said.
The Rides Team volunteers will offer senior Arlington residents with assistance in:
Registering for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment
Making an appointment
Getting a ride to their appointments
Arlington residents 65 and over are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Before being scheduled for an appointment, residents must register on the commonwealth’s system, either over the phone or via the website. Once a person is registered, Arlington County staff will follow up with appointment scheduling via email or phone. The Arlington Democrats Rides team can help anyone who needs help with that process, or a ride once they have an appointment.
Anyone interested in helping Arlington seniors get vaccinated is encouraged to volunteer.
Seniors or people with disabilities who need a ride to their appointments may call the Arlington Democrats’ main number 703-528-8588, ext. 5. A volunteer will return the call within 2 hours.
The Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Democrats) is the official county organization for the Democratic Party of Virginia. Arlington Democrats is open to anyone interested in advancing Democratic candidates, policy priorities and values in Arlington. Learn more at the Arlington Democrats website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Contact: Mary Byrne 703/608-8726 rides@arldemsold.local
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