BRHD Update on Vaccines for 5-11 Year Olds
BRHD has partnered with local pediatricians, UVA Health, and schools throughout the District over the past week to administer over 1,900 first doses of COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5-11 year olds. That means nearly 10% of eligible children (ages 5-11) in the District have already received their first dose! We are continuing to offer COVID-19 vaccines to 5-11 year olds in a number of ways, including: 

  • Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at Seminole Square (393 Hillsdale Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22901) - Vaccines are available by appointment only; no walk-ins for ages 5-11 are available. Appointments are now in the VASE+ system (search here with zip code 22901).
  • UVA Health Vaccination Center - UVA Health is vaccinating 5-11 year-olds at the Battle Building on West Main Street in Charlottesville, by appointment. Appointments can be made through UVA MyChart or by calling 434-297-4829. This is for all community members, not just UVA patients. Learn more about UVA Health’s plans here.
  • Pediatric Offices - Contact your child’s pediatrician for more information on vaccination efforts and availability.
  • School-based Vaccine Clinics - BRHD is working with school administrators throughout the District to provide vaccines at school-based clinics to those most in need. Schools will be in contact with parents regarding these efforts.  
  • Pharmacies and Other Providers - Visit Vaccines.gov to find other providers offering COVID vaccines for 5-11 year olds.

The Vaccine is safe and effective in protecting children against infection. It’s been studied and tested through clinical trials — just like the adult vaccine. Your child will need two doses, 21 to 42 days apart, to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19. By becoming fully vaccinated, children are protected from serious illness. They can also get back to a school year uninterrupted by quarantines, play sports, participate in extracurricular activities, see their friends, travel, and more.

The pediatric vaccine is specifically formulated for children and given at a lower dose than the vaccine meant for those over 12. The dose for 5-11 year olds is one-third the adult-size dose. It is important that children 5-11 receive the COVID-19 vaccine product indicated for their age group.

The risk of children getting severely ill from COVID-19 is lower than in adults, but it is not zero. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children now account for as many as 1 in 4 COVID-19 infections. Children with COVID-19 are at risk of getting sick, becoming hospitalized, or in some cases, dying. Children may also develop long-term illnesses such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or “long COVID.” Getting children fully vaccinated helps protect them from becoming seriously ill or developing long-term complications. Vaccination can also help reduce infection in families, schools, and our communities at large. 

To sign up for vaccines or learn more about vaccine resources for both children and adults, visit the BRHD website, call the BRHD COVID resource hotline (Monday-Friday, 8:00a-4:30pm) at 434-972-6261, or email us at BRHealthDistrict@gmail.com.
Free Drive-Thru NARCAN: Monday, November 15
Narcan (naloxone) is a nasal spray used to treat opioid overdoses in an emergency situation. As most accidental overdoses occur in a home setting, it was developed specifically for first responders, and any family, friends, or bystanders without medical training who may encounter an overdose.
 
Join us, Monday, November 15, 3:00-4:00pm at 1138 Rose Hill Drive, Door 2 for our monthly FREE drive-thru event where community members can receive free Narcan. Individuals are trained on how to identify an overdose and how to properly administer Narcan. In addition to Narcan, rapid in-home HIV test kits, condoms, lube, and more are provided for FREE.
 
Appointments and IDs are not required. For more information, call 434-484-0255.
Meet the BRHD Team
Each week, we introduce you to one of our Health District Heroes so you can get to know the people working to keep you safe and healthy every day. This week, meet Nick Mattsson, Public Health Nurse at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Health Department.
 
How long have you been at BRHD?
First in 2002. After a short break for school, I came back to BRHD in 2018.
 
What is your job?
I work in various clinics, as well as wherever needed in the clinical realm of BRHD efforts. My job duties may include things like giving vaccinations, working in the Sexual Health Clinic and providing tests and/or treatment, documentation and charting, and a wide variety of other clinical services!

Who are you outside of BRHD?
I enjoy taking tennis lessons, walking, exercising or that good intention! I am learning to cook, and enjoy TCM/Netflix/other movies/TV programs. Before the pandemic (and hopefully again in the future!) I used to see friends for lunch, go to movies, go to the theatre sometimes and be out regularly.  I would love to go sailing and swim in the ocean - which is kind of hard in Charlottesville!
COVID Testing in BRHD
BRHD continues to host COVID PCR testing in each locality one day every week from 4:30-6:30pm. Appointments are not required, but may be made by calling the BRHD COVID Resource Hotline (434-972-6261) or self-registering on the BRHD website.
 
Testing Schedule:
  • Mondays: Greene County Health Department
  • Tuesdays: Louisa County Health Department
  • Wednesdays: Fluvanna County Health Department
  • Thursdays: Nelson County Health Department
  • Fridays: former J.C. Penney parking lot at Fashion Square Mall in Charlottesville/Albemarle

As a reminder, a link to test results will be sent via text message to those tested at BRHD sites. This link will direct to a secure Virginia Department of Health website where results will be available for viewing and printing. While this remains the best way to get results, for those who do not have or choose not to provide text-enabled cell phone numbers or email addresses, BRHD staff will call individuals with their test results.
 
In addition to the above testing options, UVA Health offers free COVID-19 PCR tests in the greater Charlottesville/Albemarle area:
  • Mondays: The Church of the Incarnation, 6:00-7:30pm
  • Tuesdays: Mt. Zion African Baptist Church, 5:30-7:00pm.

PCR testing in partnership with Next Molecular is also available at the former J.C. Penney parking lot in Charlottesville on Wednesday and Thursdays from 2:00-6:00pm.
 
All tests are FREE and weather dependent. Please visit our website for the latest testing schedule as hours may be adjusted for daylight.
 
Visit our testing webpage for updated information and testing schedules.
Remember, vaccination is only one tool to end the pandemic.
We need to use them all in order to return to normal day-to-day activities.
Continue to wear face masks, maintain physical distance, wash hands frequently and properly, and limit indoor social gatherings.