Monkeypox Updates

A monkeypox outbreak is currently occurring in many countries where this infection is not usually found, including in the U.S. and within the state of Virginia. Thus far in the outbreak, most of the cases have been among gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men. The risk to the general public is considered low at this time. People with monkeypox in the current outbreak generally report having close, sustained physical contact, including sexual contact, with other people who have monkeypox. Household contacts may also be at increased risk of monkeypox infection. Learn more about monkeypox here.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a limited amount of the two vaccines recommended for the prevention of monkeypox, JYNNEOS and ACAM2000, and are actively working to expand their supply. At this time, widespread vaccination against monkeypox is not recommended or needed. Instead, the vaccines are recommended only for individuals at high risk of exposure. VDH is working with HHS to expand access to the JYNNEOS vaccine for Virginians who are at higher risk of being exposed to monkeypox. The vaccines are free and available to Virginians, regardless of immigration status. 

Monkeypox Vaccines in BRHD

As we receive vaccine shipments, the Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) will offer vaccinations to protect against monkeypox to certain individuals who live, work, or spend time in BRHD and are at higher risk of exposure or serious illness.

To assist in our planning, we are using this survey to gather contact information for people at high risk of exposure who are interested in getting vaccinated. You are not guaranteed a vaccine by filling out this form. However, you will be added to our list to potentially receive a vaccine in the future depending on your risk factors and the available supply. This survey is HIPAA compliant, meaning your health information will be protected. If you need assistance filling out this form, or have edits after submission, please contact BRHD at 434-591-1960 (M-F 8AM-4:30PM). Please only complete this survey once.

Vaccination is recommended for adults (18 years of age or older) who meet any of the following criteria:

• Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and have had multiple (e.g. more than 1) or anonymous sexual partners within the last 14 days; OR
• Transgender women and nonbinary persons assigned male at birth who have sex with men and have had multiple (e.g. more than 1) or anonymous sexual partners within the last 14 days; OR
• Sex workers (of any orientation or gender) within the last 14 days; OR
• Staff (of any orientation or gender) who worked at establishments where sexual activity occurs (e.g. bathhouses, sex clubs) within the last 14 days; OR
• Persons (of any orientation or gender) who attend sex-on-premises venues (e.g. bathhouses, sex clubs) within the last 14 days.

Currently there is not sufficient vaccine available for everyone who meets these criteria. If you meet one of these criteria and want to receive a vaccine when it becomes available, please submit your name, phone number and email address below, and a BRHD staff member will contact you within three business days to provide guidance for next steps. Please note that you will still need to register for an appointment when the opportunity to sign up is made available to you. 

Do you have questions about monkeypox or want to know the latest case numbers? Call the VDH state hotline at 877-829-4682 or visit the VDH monkeypox website.

COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Reminders

We’ve had a lot of great turnout this past month in our COVID-19 vaccine clinics and drive-thrus – but we want to see more cute babies! In fact, it’s easier than ever to get your 6month-5 year old vaccinated: We’re now offering walk-in vaccinations (well, perhaps, carry-in vaccinations?)  at our Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department every Friday from 2:00 – 6:00pm. And 5-11 year olds are welcome, too! We are offering both the Pfizer 3-dose vaccine for ages 6mo-4yo, and the Moderna 2-dose vaccine for ages 6mo-5yo.

As always, appointments are available at Charlottesville and any of our local health department clinics. Ensure a spot with an appointment online.

Homebound Baby Vaccines

Know someone who has a 6mo-11 year old who can’t get them to a vaccine site, for mobility, childcare, or transportation issues? We can bring baby vaccines to them! Complete our form on our website to request a homebound vaccine. We service homebound vaccinations once a month on the first Monday from 9:30am-4:30pm

Southwood Clinic Saturday

If you or your organization work with any neighbors who live in the Southwood Community, we encourage you to invite them to our COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Southwood Community Center on Saturday, July 30 from 4-6 PM. This FREE drive-in clinic offers vaccines for children ages 6 months to 11 years old, and boosters will be available for ages 5-11 years old. Check out our website for all of our COVID-19 vaccine/booster clinics within the District.

Testing Resources

Free COVID-19 testing resources remain available throughout the District. For those seeking testing, the following options are available in Charlottesville in July and August (walk-ins only): 

• Mondays from 6-7:30pm at Church of the Incarnation. Hosted by UVA Health.
• Tuesdays from 5:30-7pm at Mount Zion First African American Baptist Church. Hosted by UVA Health. 
• Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30pm at Fashion Square Mall, outside the former JCPenney. Hosted by NEXT Molecular Lab.
• Fridays from 3:30-6:30pm at Fashion Square Mall, outside the former JCPenney. Hosted by NEXT Molecular Lab.

We encourage everyone to utilize these testing resources as the need arises. For more information on testing and the test sites listed above, visit the BRHD testing webpage. In-home rapid COVID-19 test kits are available at area pharmacies, as well as through a Federal distribution program. Each order now contains 8 test kits and can be ordered online here at no cost.

VisitAble Certification

VisitAble, a Charlottesville-based disability inclusion startup, was created to help make disability inclusion champions out of both public and private organizations. BRHD recently partnered with them to boost training, awareness, and transparency at our offices!

On Friday, July 1, 2022, four Blue Ridge Health District facilities completed VisitAble’s Training Certification: Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department, Fluvanna County Health Department, Greene County Health Department, and Yancey Community Health Center. In order for these facilities to earn their Training Certifications, Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) employees received VisitAble’s disability etiquette and inclusion training, the facilities were assessed by VisitAble employees to provide accessibility feedback and advice, a mystery guest with a disability visited the facilities to give their own feedback, and the facilities were listed on VisitAble’s website (find: Charlottesville/Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene and Yancey) to show important accessibility information to help current and prospective visitors navigate the facilities.

Learn more about this process and how to bring better accessibility to your organization by reading this press release.

Rabies Reminder

Did you know that more than 59,000 people around the world die from rabies every year? While the number is staggering, the good news is that it is 100% preventable. 

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. However, in many other countries dogs still carry rabies, and most rabies deaths in people around the world are caused by dog bites.

Recently, Jason Fulton from the BRHD Environmental Health team answered a few frequently asked questions about rabies. What is rabies? How does it spread? What can we do to prevent it? Find out the answers by watching this interview. 

You can also learn more about rabies on the CDC website.

Health Whys

Did you know that BRHD writes a monthly publication called Health Whys? This article provides practical information and resources concerning current health issues and is distributed to a wide variety of community partners, local agencies, and other interested people. Health Whys is available in several formats for people to print and distribute as needed. 

This month’s article is on the importance of the HPV vaccination and making sure your children are up to date on all of  their routine vaccines. This article and previous editions are available on the BRHD Health Whys webpage.