West Virginians will
now have access to a COVID-19 vaccination pre-registration tool available
statewide. West
Virginia is the first state to deploy this new system through Everbridge, a
global provider of critical event management technologies. The tool enables West Virginians to
pre-register for COVID-19 vaccination and receive updates through text, phone
and/or email. The West
Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) will launch
the new service at 8 a.m., Monday, January 25, 2021 on vaccinate.wv.gov.
Those who have
already been placed on a waitlist through their local health department or
other medical provider, as well as those who have already received their first vaccine
dose, will be integrated into this new system and thus do not need to
pre-register. The first week, the system will open for pre-registration. Moving
forward, vaccination scheduling will also be available through the system. Scheduling
will continue based on the state’s overlapping phased approach for administering
the limited vaccine supply.
“Gov. Justice tasked DHHR with figuring out a vaccination
registration and scheduling tool for West Virginians to use,” said Bill J.
Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. “This new service allows West Virginians to directly
enter their information into the computer, or with assistance from the Vaccine
Info Line, and will keep folks from having to call multiple times to our local
health departments whose phone lines are already overwhelmed.”
The system offers West Virginians
the ability to pre-register, receive real-time updates on vaccine availability and
schedule an appointment to get vaccinated when supplies allow. Individuals can
opt to receive regular communication updates on West Virginia’s vaccination
process. The system allows people to select their preferences for communication
through texts, email or voicemails over regular phone lines.
“This is another example of how we continue
to lead the nation with our COVID-19 vaccination program,” said Gov. Justice. “This
is another tool in our toolbox that will help make the vaccination process as
easy and efficient as possible, and I’m proud of everyone who worked hard to
stand up this system so quickly.”
Any West Virginian who does not have the ability to
register online can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Info Line at 1-833-734-0965 to get
help with pre-registration. The call center is active from Monday-Friday 8 a.m.
to 6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At this time, West Virginians 65 years of age and older
and certain high-risk priority groups who
are pre-registered will receive a text, phone call or email with an
appointment once it is available to their group and in their geographical area.
Those who are not in the current priority groups are able to pre-register
online and will be offered an appointment when eligible based on limited supply.
West Virginians are encouraged to pre-register and to continue to follow vaccinate.wv.gov
for updated information.
“The more people who choose to get vaccinated
when it’s their turn, the better,” added Crouch. “This will help us build
community immunity in West Virginia.”