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The Western Tidewater Health District will have two vaccine clinics this week and is using email to reach eligible vaccine recipients.

The clinics will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the fairgrounds in Courtland and the same time Friday at the Smithfield Center, according to Western Tidewater Health District Emergency Manager Will Drewery.

People who have pre-registered for their vaccine through the statewide portal, especially those over 65 or with pre-existing conditions, should check their email, regardless of the communication option they chose when they registered. Drewery said the district is using a new system, so emails will come from the CDC (the Centers for Disease Control) or VAMS (the Vaccine Administration Management System).

Drewery encouraged people to check back throughout the week, as emails are being sent in batches to avoid sending out emails with no appointments remaining. People should also remember to check their spam folders.

Once someone receives an email, they will have to register, then log in and look for an available appointment time. The clinics this week are not open to walk-ins; only people who have pre-registered through the link in the email will be able to receive a vaccine.