DC Launches New COVID Vaccine Website

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 Launches New COVID Vaccine Website

Mar 8, 2021, 18:01 PM by MSDC staff

DC's new system allows pre-registration followed by offering appointments as they become available.

A week after its vaccine system faced criticism for technology failings, the District announced a new vaccine registration system aimed at streamlining the appointment process.

The system launches Wednesday and allows residents that fit in the current vaccine categories to sign-up to receive an appointment. Officials stressed the system will not be first-come, first-serve. The system will select individuals based on a number of factors and randomly invite them to book an appointment. The individual will have 48 hours to do so, or be returned to the waitlist for another invitation. If you fail to register for a vaccine appointment after 3 contacts, you will need to re-register.

While the system opens Wednesday, the District anticipates the first wave of invitations going out on Friday via email, calls, or texts. Also, while they can conceivably register now, the District is asking residents not eligible for vaccine appointments to not register. The system theoretically will allow them to register, but it will not add them to the invite list and will not save them time when their tier is eligible.

While the District is saying not everyone who wants a vaccine at the moment can be, they do promise that everyone who registers will be vaccinated, even if it takes months. The District has begun allocating its vaccine doses received from the federal government: roughly one third go to hospitals for their patients, 15,000 go to vaccinate.dc.gov, and 3,000 go to "special initiatives". Further, the eligible doses will be divided to 40% for 65+ in age, 40% for those with pre-existing conditions, and 20% to eligible 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.