COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Updates

Bivalent Booster Vaccines

On Wednesday, September 7, BRHD began offering Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccines. The bivalent vaccines, also known as “updated boosters,” contain messenger RNA (mRNA) components of the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Read more about the latest booster vaccine and BRHD clinic plans in our press release that was sent out on Wednesday this week.

How do I make an appointment?

Eligible community members can schedule appointments through BRHD online here or call their healthcare provider or local pharmacy. 

This month, BRHD will host multiple bivalent booster-only clinics to meet the expected demand (appointments preferred; limited walk-ins available):

• Wednesdays in September at Mobi on the Mall, 12-3pm in front of the Whiskey Jar on the Downtown Mall. 
• Thursday, September 15 at Sentara Starr Hill Health Center, 3:30-6pm inside the Jefferson City School.
• Monday, September 19 at Fashion Square Mall in the former JCPenney parking lot, 3:30-7pm (drive-thru style).  
• Thursday, September 29 at Tuckahoe Community Center, 10am-12pm inside the community center.

Additionally, BRHD will be administering bivalent boosters only at all weekly local Health Department vaccination clinics during the month of September. To see a full list of available clinics and registration links, visit our COVID-19 vaccine webpage at vdh.virginia.gov/blue-ridge/covid-19-vaccination/. If you have questions or need help signing up for an appointment, call our COVID-19 Hotline at 434-972-6261 (open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm). 

Youth Vaccine Clinic on September 17

BRHD will host a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Saturday, September 17 for children ages 6 months to 11 years old. Appointments can be made via VASE+ with zip code search 22903.

Novavax Vaccine Eligibility Update

Please Note: we’ve received updated guidance from CDC and FDA concerning Novavax eligibility. Previously, only unvaccinated people with no previous COVID-19 dose were eligible for a Novavax vaccine. Now, Novavax is interchangeable with the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna). If an individual receives Pfizer or Moderna as a first dose, they are able to receive Novavax as a second dose.

COVID-19 Testing for September

As we move into the fall and back to school season, testing for COVID-19 if you are symptomatic or exposed to a positive case is crucial to keeping ourselves and communities healthy. If you’re in need of a COVID-19 test this month, consider stopping by one of the weekly drive-thru PCR testing clinics:

• Mondays at the Church of Incarnation from 6-7:30pm (UVA Health)
• 1465 Incarnation Drive, Charlottesville 22901
• Tuesdays at Mount Zion First African Baptist Church from 5:30-7pm (UVA Health)
• 105 Lankford Avenue, Charlottesville 22902
• Wednesdays at the former JCPenney Parking Lot in Fashion Square Mall from 3:30-6:30pm (Next Molecular Labs)
• 1600 Rio Road, Charlottesville 22901
• Fridays at the former JCPenney Parking Lot in Fashion Squall Mall from 3:30-6:30pm (Next Molecular Labs)
• 1600 Rio Road, Charlottesville 22901

All clinics are by walk-in only, no appointments accepted. To see more information about our available clinics, visit our COVID-19 testing webpage here.

BRHD MAPP2Health Report

The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) 2022 MAPP2Health report is now posted on the BRHD website. This report is the result of a community health needs assessment conducted in partnership with BRHD, UVA Health, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, and Sentara Martha Jefferson Outpatient Surgery Center. This year’s MAPP2Health report engaged over 130 representatives from the District’s communities, government agencies, health systems, clinical care offices, and non-profit organizations. Participants explored the policies and practices that influence health from two focus areas: built environment and healthcare systems. They specifically developed targeted recommendations to combat health disparities with improvements in transportation, digital access and literacy, healthcare access, and mental healthcare access.

Thank you to all of our participants who contributed this year, and to our Core Group for their time and effort in producing the report. For any questions on the MAPP2Health process or the report, please contact Jen Fleisher at BRHD. 

Fall Birth & Baby Talks Series

In previous newsletters, we shared information about upcoming Birth & Baby Talks. We are pushing our schedule back to offer the free Birth & Baby Talks in October/November. The four-part virtual series will now be held on Tuesday evenings starting October 11th. We encourage anyone who is expecting a baby to join these free, fast-paced classes to learn about labor and delivery, having a newborn at home, and preparing for postpartum care.

Fill out this pre-registration form to attend one or all of the virtual talks. Questions? Contact Diane at Diane.Sampson@vdh.virginia.gov or 434-972-6241.

World Suicide Prevention Day: Creating Hope Through Action

This Saturday, we recognize World Suicide Prevention Day, first established by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). This anual recognition is intended to raise awareness of suicide and to promote preventative measures with the aim to reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts globally. This year’s theme, ‘Creating Hope Through Action’ serves as a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide, and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us. 

Nonjudgemental conversations about suicide are essential to proper prevention. There is a common myth that bringing up suicide will make someone more likely to act on it, but mental health researchers and professionals have routinely debunked this. In fact, studies have shown that an empathic, compassionate listening ear can actually decrease stress rather than exacerbate it. And it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers; individuals who have suffered a suicide attempt reported that people in their lives show genuine concern and care was often more impactful than specific advice in helping them decide against suicide. 

If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts or ideation or know someone who is, call 988 to reach the National Suicide Hotline for confidential crisis and suicide counseling. To learn more about suicide prevention, resources, and how to get involved, visit the IASP World Suicide Prevention Day website.