Neighbors,

When April began, we expected a Nationals baseball opener on the 1st, all DC residents to become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in May, and the Mayor’s proposed FY22 budget submission by the end of the month. A lot has changed.

I was excited to see our players take to the field on April 6th and look forward to the rest of our sports teams being able to welcome fans in the stands, safely. All DC residents 16+ are now eligible to receive the vaccine. And the Council will now receive the Mayor’s proposed budget on May 27th.

With this note, I hope to keep you informed on how to help our communities slowly and safely return to a new normal. Please find some further information on vaccine appointments and reopening guidelines below. The more education and support you can give your neighbors about the vaccine, the better.

I’d also like to take a moment to address the pause in use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. Following the federal guidelines, DC Health has made the decision to pause use of the J&J shot until further notice. This pause is to allow time and due diligence for the CDC and FDA to properly investigate cases of side effects, which is the normal course of action when a product has been approved for emergency use. It is important to note there have been only six cases of blood clot side effects reported in nearly 7 million shots administered. This is a very small number. If you have received the J&J shot, please do not be alarmed. Read this resource and consult your health provider should any symptoms listed occur. The Pfizer and Moderna shots will continue with the utmost confidence of our health professionals. I thank you in advance for sharing these facts with your neighbor.

In service,

Christina Henderson
At-Large DC Councilmember

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65+ Walk Up Vaccination Sites

Starting next week, the below sites will offer walk-up Moderna or Pfizer vaccine shots for DC residents 65 and older. The only exception is the Bald Eagle Recreation Center which will vaccinate Ward 7 and 8 residents who are 18 or older. The rest of these sites are reserved for our seniors.

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Vaccination Appointment Information

All District residents 16 years and older are now eligible to receive the vaccine. Pre-register here if you have not yet done so. Unfortunately, this does not mean DC will receive more supply to satisfy our high demand. Fortunately, we have a few options.

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Vaccine Pre-Registration Tips:

• If you are still waiting for a vaccine, pre-register at vaccinate.dc.gov. If you pre-registered, but have received a vaccine elsewhere, please take yourself off of the list by emailing vaccinatedc@dc.gov. You can also call (855) 363-0333.
• DC residents have the opportunity to get vaccinated at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sites. There are two in Maryland we know have a large vaccine supply and may have appointments. If you have the ability to travel, the FEMA sites in Greenbelt and Easton are open to anyone over the age of 16. You can pre-register for an appointment here.
• DC residents with qualifying conditions can book appointments through your neighborhood CVS, Walgreens or Kroger pharmacies. If you are 16 or older, you qualify in DC.

(Councilmember Christina Henderson at the ‘Don’t Miss Your Shot’ vaccination event in Ward 8. She is joined by Michael Crawford, Associate Dean at Howard University (left) and Cora Masters Barry (right).)Re-Opening Guidelines Updates

As the District continues to relax restrictions on activities, we must keep risk in mind. Activities that are unmasked, indoors in highly populated areas, or in places for longer periods of time are considered high risk. Activities that are masked, outdoors in low populated areas, or in places with lots of space are considered low risk. I ask you remain vigilant, wear your mask and remain socially distant.

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New guidelines in effect on May 1st

• Movie theaters and seated live entertainment (theater) will allow indoor and outdoor capacity at 25%
• Live music will resume at outdoor restaurant seating
• Weddings, special events and regional business meetings will be allowed at 25%
• School graduations and awards ceremonies allowed with capacity limits
• Outdoor races and indoor or outdoor public pools will open at 50% capacity
• Outdoor splash pads will be open at full capacity
• Recreational centers, libraries, museums and non-essential retail will open at 50% capacity

(Councilmember Henderson enjoying a low-risk activity at Ward 7’s C.W. Harris Elementary School. This garden will provide food for their FoodPrints program.)

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‍Stay In Touch

Stay up to date on all my team and I are working on. Follow me on Twitter @CMCHenderson, Instagram @ChristinaHendersondc, and my Facebook page.

Check out our new website at Christinahendersondc.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Christina Henderson
At-Large Councilmember
chenderson@dccouncil.us

Mike Shaffer
Chief of Staff
mshaffer@dccouncil.us

Heather Edelman
Deputy Chief of Staff
hedelman@dccouncil.us

T.J. Maloney
Legislative Director
tmaloney@dccouncil.us

Mykelle Richburg
Legislative Assistant
mrichburg@dccouncil.us

Ana Berríos-Vázquez
Constituent Services Director
aberriosvazquez@dccouncil.us

Amanda Farnan
Communications Director

afarnan@dccouncil.us

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