DC To Offer Vaccines to Residents With Pre-Existing Conditions In March

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

DC To Offer Vaccines to Residents With Pre-Existing Conditions In March

Feb 18, 2021, 14:37 PM by MSDC Staff

DC moved to the next tier today, and will greatly expand vaccine availability in the coming weeks.

Today Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the District would expand vaccine appointments to Phase 1C, Tier 1 residents, or those with pre-existing conditions, the week of March 1.

During today's press conference, the Mayor announced the District moved to the next phase of eligible populations. That group includes grocery store workers, social service outreach workers, manufacturing workers, and food packaging workers.

Even though DC estimates it will not have enough vaccine doses to meet demand, DC Health still estimates 70% of residents 65 and older will have a vaccine by the end of the month. Despite this progress, the District announced a few changes to the appointment process:

Thursday appointments will open at 6 PM tomorrow, and the Thursday appointments will alternate opening between 9 AM and 6 PM openings every week.
In March, DC's system will be able to give residents who pre-register a 24 hour notice window to sign up for appointments.

The Mayor also announced that beginning in March residents with pre-existing conditions are eligible to be vaccinated. Twenty different "conditions" make a resident age 16-64 eligible, including pregnancy and cancer. DC estimates 160,000 residents have at least one of these conditions, although that list would include people already eligible like healthcare workers.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.