Welcome to the Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts Newsletter 04.13.22

Health updates for residents of the Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD)

RCAHD Community Outreach Virginia Western Community College

Outreach staff from the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts visited Virginia Western Community College this week to provide educational outreach during Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Awareness Week 2022. The week serves as a chance to raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections and the impact that they can have.

Some STIs have few or no symptoms but they can follow an individual until that person is treated. The good news is that most STIs are curable and all are treatable! Talking about STIs decreases STI-related stigma, fear, and discrimination.  If you or a loved one have any questions about STIs, testing, or treatment, please call VDH's free, confidential Disease Prevention Hotline at (800) 533-4148. Make an appointment with your healthcare professional to get screened, or call your local health department office to make an appointment. Most insurances are accepted, and we also see patients on a sliding scale basis depending on income. Call 540-283-5050 to learn more. FREE Walk-In STI Testing Event*! May 17, 3:30-5:30pm Roanoke Health Department *while supplies last

Need documentation of your COVID vaccine?

If you received your COVID-19 vaccine in Virginia, and need a copy of your immunization records, use this button to request a copy from the Virginia Department of Health:

Save or Print Your COVID-19 Vaccine Record

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NEW: COVID-19 2nd Booster Doses Q & A

Q: I've heard that more people are now eligible for a second COVID-19 booster dose. Should I get a second booster dose now? A: The recent authorization for a second booster dose is not a blanket recommendation for everyone. Members of the general population who are staying up-to-date on their vaccines remain well protected from severe disease without a second booster. Talk with your health care provider to make the best choice on whether to get a second booster dose based on your own level of personal risk. The following populations (approximately 1 million Virginians) are now eligible to receive a second booster dose: Adults ages 50 years & up may receive a second booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) at least 4 months after their first booster dose. Individuals ages 12 & up who are considered moderately to severely immunocompromised may receive a second booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) at least 4 months after their first booster dose. Adults ages 18-49 who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for their first dose and booster shot may receive an mRNA booster dose (Pfizer or Moderna) at least 4 months after their first booster dose. Looking to make an appointment for a 1st, 2nd or booster dose? Find a list of clinic locations near you, or call our local COVID resource hotline at 540-613-6597 and we will be happy to help you make an appointment over the phone.

RCAHD COVID-19 Situation Update 04/12/22 More dashboards at vdh.gov

Overall, we are seeing very low levels of COVID-19 activity as seen by: low case counts, only one COVID-19-associated hospitalization, our waste water surveillance data, and our syndromic surveillance data.

Order More At-Home Test Kits Have you ordered your 4 free COVID-19 test kits? You can now order 4 more! U.S. households can now place a total of 2 separate orders for FREE, at-home COVID-19 rapid tests (4 tests per order). If an order was previously placed for your address, you can place a second order now.

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