This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made three changes to COVID-19 vaccine protocols. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) have adopted these new recommendations:
- To allow for all Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters to be administered 5 months following the completion of the first two doses, rather than 6 months. This timeline change does not apply to Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. It is still standard guidance to receive your booster 6 months after a Moderna vaccine series and 2 months after a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- Children 12-17 years old are recommended to receive a Pfizer booster vaccine 5 months after finishing their first two doses.
- Children 5-11 years old who are immunocompromised are recommended to receive a third dose of Pfizer as part of their primary series 28 days after their second dose. This follows the current third dose recommendations for immunocompromised adolescents and adults, allowing younger immunocompromised children similar protection.
These vaccines and all adult doses are available at a number of vaccination clinics throughout the District, including walk-in visits at BRHD health departments. Read more in the section below.
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Walk-in COVID Vaccines for 5-11 Year Olds |
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BRHD’s county health departments in Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson will begin offering walk-in COVID-19 vaccine appointments for ages 5-11 and booster doses for ages 12+. Walk-in hours will be from 12:00-4:00pm at each respective health department. Please see the graphic below for the weekly county health department schedules.
For additional information, please call the BRHD Hotline Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.
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BRHD to Host Live Virtual Town Hall:
Monday, January 10 at 7pm
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BRHD will host a live town hall on Monday, January 10 at 7:00 PM to discuss the latest COVID-19 data, the surge’s impact on our local healthcare systems, updates to quarantine and isolation guidelines for schools and businesses, testing resources, and COVID-19 vaccine updates.
BRHD staff and subject matter experts Dr. Denise Bonds, Ryan McKay, and Kathryn Goodman will be joined by Dr. Taison Bell and Dr. Michael Williams of UVA Health to provide updates and answer your questions live. Questions may be asked live by those registered and attending via Zoom (see below). For those who prefer to submit them ahead of time, we will accept questions via our online survey. The survey will close at 5pm on Sunday, January 9.
The Town Hall will also be available live on the following places:
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Winter Weather Safety Tips |
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Like the wind and snow related-disruptions we saw this past week across the District, we anticipate more severe weather as the winter season progresses. It is important to know how to keep yourself and those around you safe during a winter storm.
Here are some important measures to take:
- Stay off the roads and avoid tree limbs at all possible.
- Limit your time outside.
- Avoid carbon monoxide (CO2) poisoning by installing a CO2 detector in your home. Double check the batteries routinely.
- Reduce the risk of a heart attack by avoiding overexertion, particularly when shoveling snow.
- Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia and begin treatment immediately.
- Check on your neighbors, especially seniors and young children who are at higher risk in extreme cold.
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BRHD Offices to Close
at 12pm on Friday, January 14
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On Friday, January 14, BRHD offices, clinics, and staff will operate on a half-day schedule. Our offices will close at 12:00pm.
The Community Vaccination Center (CVC) in Seminole Square will be open during their normal hours of operation on Friday and Saturday, from 8:00am-6:00pm. COVID-19 testing will also still be provided at JCPenney at Fashion Square Mall from 4:30-6:30pm.
Normal health department hours will resume at 8:00am on Monday, January 17, 2022.
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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 Camilo Osorio, BRHD COVID-19 Case Investigator.
How long have you been at BRHD?
Since September of 2021
What is your job?
I call people in our district who have tested positive for COVID-19 and give them guidance on isolation. I also work to ensure containment of clusters and outbreaks in the community.
What do you like to when when not at work?
I like to explore the restaurants and venues around the area, tasting the different cuisines from all around the world. I was an interpreter for Spanish speakers. I am Colombian and lived in Miami for over 20 years.
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BRHD, our VDH-contracted lab NEXT Molecular, and UVA Health continue to offer free drive-through COVID-19 test sites throughout the District every week. During the ten days around Christmas, we tested over 3,500 people and continue to see an extremely high demand for testing. This week, BRHD and our community testing partners faced multiple challenges related to weather and road conditions. We understand the worry caused by limited testing availability and share the desire for ample testing resources. We are working hard to increase test sites in the coming days, and will keep our website and social media updated as new sites are confirmed.
Starting next week, NEXT Molecular lab (who offers free COVID-19 testing Tuesdays-Thursdays in JCPenney parking lot at Fashion Square Mall) will move to walk-ins only. They have the ability to test hundreds of people during each testing event and will continue to provide a quality testing experience for those seeking services.
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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.
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