Brady Collins
As of February 15, 2022, indoor venues in Washington, DC, are no longer required to verify that patrons are vaccinated. However, the District of Columbia Department of Health (DC Health) is still actively planning for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine as doses become available. All DC residents aged 6 months and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and appointments can be scheduled through various channels, including online and by phone. While a photo ID is not required for vaccination, DC's Department of Health recommends bringing a confirmation code, QR code, insurance card, and some form of personal identification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for the vaccine? | All DC residents 6 months and older, including veterans and spouses, and essential workers who live elsewhere. |
| Do you need a photo ID to get vaccinated? | No, but it is a good idea to bring some form of personal identification document, such as an insurance card or a recent official piece of government mail addressed to you. |
| Where can you get vaccinated? | Pharmacies and clinics across all eight wards, or at home by calling 1-855-363-0333. |
| What are the side effects of the vaccine? | Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), myocarditis, pericarditis, and chest pain, shortness of breath, or feelings of having a racing or fluttering heart. |
| How long should you wait after recovering from COVID-19 to get vaccinated? | Since re-infection is uncommon in the 90 days following an infection, you may choose to delay getting vaccinated until after this period has passed. People who have received monoclonal antibodies should wait 90 days before getting vaccinated. |
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What You'll Learn
COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning in DC
The District of Columbia Department of Health (DC Health) is working with the federal government and local partners to plan for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine as doses become available. All DC residents aged 6 months and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine may be obtained in more than 60 locations across the District of Columbia. For more information on where to obtain the vaccine, visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) required all states and territories to submit an interim plan for COVID-19 vaccine distribution on October 16, 2020. These plans are living documents that will change over time as more information about the vaccines is learned and the most equitable way to distribute them is determined.
The DC Health Scientific Advisory Committee for the Development and Implementation of a Safe, Effective, and Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Program in the District of Columbia advises the Director of DC Health on effective strategies to communicate public health information regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness to promote vaccine confidence and uptake. The committee also provides technical feedback on data from clinical trials and pharmacovigilance.
The COVID-19 Clinician Champion Program (DC CCP) is a partnership between DC Health and MSDC to provide a group of medical experts who can serve as speakers during meetings and events focused on COVID-19 and the importance and science behind the COVID-19 vaccine.
It is important to note that re-infection with COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days following an infection, so individuals may choose to delay getting vaccinated until after this period has passed. Additionally, those who have received monoclonal antibodies should wait 90 days before getting vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any live virus, so they cannot give individuals COVID-19 or cause them to test positive for the virus. Recent data also shows that breastfeeding women may pass on a protective effect from COVID-19 to their infants through breastmilk secretion of COVID-19 antibodies.
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Possible side effects of the vaccine
As of February 15, 2022, indoor venues in Washington, D.C., are no longer required to verify that patrons are vaccinated. All D.C. residents aged 6 months and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with some mild and immediate side effects, such as bruising, redness, and tenderness at the injection site. Other possible side effects include fatigue, fever, muscle pain, and headaches. More severe reactions are expected to occur in about 34% of vaccine recipients. However, it's important to note that the specific percentage for COVID-19 vaccines has not been mentioned.
In rare cases, the J&J vaccine has been linked to Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), which involves blood clots and low platelet counts. This side effect has primarily been observed in women under 50 within two weeks of receiving the vaccine. Myocarditis (heart inflammation) and pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart) have also been reported in a small number of teens and young adults, mostly males aged 12-39, after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Symptoms of these conditions include chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. It is important to note that these side effects are very rare, and most individuals who experience them recover completely.
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Who can get the vaccine?
All DC residents aged 6 months and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is available in more than 60 locations across the District of Columbia. Residents can visit vaccinate.dc.gov or call 1-855-363-0333 to find out more about vaccine opportunities.
DC Veterans and spouses can call the DC VA Medical Center at (202) 745-4342 to schedule an appointment. Kaiser Permanente members should visit kp.org/DCvaccine for the latest information. The District's Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) also cover free transportation to and from appointments.
If you are an essential worker in DC but live elsewhere, you can preregister with DC Health. The preregistration questionnaire asks for basic personal information and whether you have a qualifying chronic medical condition. Once you preregister, it could be days, weeks, or months before you get an appointment.
While you don't need a photo ID to get vaccinated, it is recommended that you bring your confirmation or QR code, insurance card, and some form of personal identification document.
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What to bring to your vaccine appointment
All DC residents aged 6 months and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is available at more than 60 locations across the District of Columbia.
- It is recommended that you bring your confirmation code or the QR code you received when you made your appointment.
- It is also a good idea to bring your insurance card if you have one.
- While a photo ID is not required, it is recommended that you bring some form of personal identification. This could be an official piece of government mail recently addressed to you, such as a utility or medical bill with your name and address, a mortgage deed, or an unexpired rental agreement. For non-DC residents who are eligible workers, bring something with your name on it that shows where you work in DC.
- If you are getting vaccinated at a pharmacy, remember to bring any relevant prescriptions or medications you are currently taking.
- If you are getting vaccinated at a local health department, contact them beforehand to find out what you need to bring.
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How to get a vaccine appointment
All DC residents aged 6 months and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine may be obtained in more than 60 locations across the District of Columbia.
- Visit the District's webpage dedicated to making vaccine appointments at coronavirus.DC.gov/vaccinateDC.
- If there are no appointments available, sign up for the District's alert system on the same page. You will be notified when more appointments become available.
- Alternatively, you can visit vaccinate.dc.gov to find out how many doses are available and when the next round of bookings will open.
- You can also try the district’s call center at 855-363-0333.
- Medstar Health has its own portal at https://covidvaccine.medstarhealth.org, which includes links for people who live in D.C. to register.
- Howard University Hospital, Sibley Hospital, and Kaiser Permanente each have their own vaccine registration websites.
- George Washington University Hospital will reach out to you once a vaccine appointment is available.
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Frequently asked questions
No, as of February 15, 2022, indoor venues in DC will no longer be required to verify that patrons are vaccinated.
No, DC is also vaccinating essential workers who live elsewhere.
No, you do not need a photo ID to get vaccinated in DC. However, it is recommended that you bring your confirmation code, QR code, insurance card, and some form of personal identification document.
