“Virginia should prioritize those most at risk of death and serious illness,” said Ron Boyd, president of the Virginia Association of Area Agencies and CEO of the Local Office on Aging in Roanoke in making a case for prioritizing senior citizens in vaccine distribution efforts.

According to a statement from the association, it is estimated at 80 percent of all COVID-19 deaths could be stopped if those 65 and older are vaccinated.

“We should follow the example of our neighbors in Tennessee, Maryland and Delaware,” Boyd said. “They recognize that by vaccinating older members of their communities, more so than other groups, will reduce acute care demands as they make up over 70 percent of those being hospitalized.”

The association, known as V4A, is asking that Virginia’s seniors be given the highest priority for access to the vaccine.

Boyd said association members are also concerned that due to the risk older Virginians are encouraged to stay home to lower their chances of be...