The Botetourt County Extension Office began signing up farmers and other essential agriculture workers for the COVID-19 vaccine on January 19. Food and agriculture workers are included in Phase 1b of vaccine distribution.
The Virginia Department of Health is requesting that essential workers sign up for the vaccine through their employers if possible. However, due to the nature of agriculture in this region, most farmers are employed independently. In an effort to streamline the sign-up process for these essential workers, the Botetourt County Extension Office is facilitating the sign-up process for local farmers and other essential ag workers who are independently employed.
To determine which phase you qualify for, you may wish to take this eligibility survey at https://vdh.jebbit.com/amkwk6m1?L=Owned+Web&JC=Vaccine. If you qualify for the 1b phase and are currently over the age of 75 you can sign up for the vaccine immediately through your primary care doctor or on the VDH website at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbBuwZIowEzn5JuOv0MOl4ZoP6yWaLocRcjCR2ghK-eVLgzg/viewform.
If you do not have Internet access, contact Kate Lawrence at the Botetourt Extension Office for assistance in determining your eligibility, 473-8260.
If you are a farmer or other essential ag worker that qualifies for the 1b phase and wish to sign up to receive the COVID19 vaccination in Botetourt County, call the Extension office at 473-8260 or email Kate Lawrence MCL87@vt.edu. Available vaccine is being given to people in Phase 1a first. The time and location for 1b food and agriculture workers will be determined and communicated as soon as possible. However, these essential workers are encouraged to sign up immediately, either through their primary care doctor, the VDH, or through the Extension Office.
