COVID Vaccines:
Available at Local Health Departments
Beginning Monday, July 26, walk-in COVID vaccines will be available at each of our BRHD health departments. Vaccines will be offered at each office, one day every week, 9:30-11:30am and 1:00-3:30pm: 
  • Monday- Greene County Health Department
  • Tuesday- Louisa County Health Department
  • Wednesday- Fluvanna County Health Department
  • Thursday- Nelson County Health Department
  • Friday- Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department 

We will continue to provide vaccines at our J. Crew vaccine location in Fashion Square Mall and throughout the District with our mobile unit and pop-up events, in addition to homebound vaccine efforts with UVA and the Charlottesville Fire Department. 

Everyone 12 years and older is eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition to walk-in times, appointments can be scheduled by using our online scheduling portal, visiting vaccines.gov, or calling the BRHD hotline Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm: 434-972-6261.
Welcome Home, International Travelers
To help prevent the spread of travel-related COVID infections, the Virginia Department of Health is welcoming home international travelers with guidance from the CDC regarding testing, quarantine, and other measures to stay healthy. If you travel internationally, you should expect a phone call from the health department within 1-2 days of returning.

Each day, the BRHD COVID-19 Containment Team follows up with international travelers who have recently returned home. The team will help with monitoring symptoms and provide information about quarantine and testing timelines based on vaccination status. When unable to reach a traveler by phone, BRHD will send a follow-up email.

According to the CDC, all individuals returning from International Travel should get tested 3-5 days after arrival in the U.S. and should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days after travel. Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to quarantine after arrival in the U.S., but should still get tested. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated should quarantine after international travel. If symptoms do not develop, travelers may end quarantine after 10 days without testing or after 7 days with a negative PCR or antigen test.

For more on travel safety and what to do upon returning, visit VDH’s travelers' page.
For more on testing locations, visit the BRHD website. 
CDC: Double Vaccinations Not Needed
At this time, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) does not recommend “double vaccination” to increase protection against COVID-19. If you are fully vaccinated (at least 14 days have passed since your final shot), additional shots or boosters are not currently needed. Instead, individuals who want more protection from infection or spread are encouraged to wear face masks, avoid crowded or poorly ventilated areas, maintain physical distance, and wash hands regularly. 

Vaccination remains our most effective tool in preventing severe illness, death, and hospitalizations as a result of COVID-19 infections, but the more mitigation strategies we employ, the healthier we will stay. 

Anyone who has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine is encouraged to do so and can find information on vaccines in their area by visiting vaccines.gov.
Free Drive-Thru Narcan Events
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.

On the third Monday of each month, BRHD hosts a 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 will 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 Nicole Klingensmith, COVID Contact Tracer with BRHD

How long have you worked with BRHD?
Since November 2020.
 
What is your job?
My role is to call individuals who may be considered close contacts to someone who tested positive and inform them of their exposure. As a Contact Tracer, we review the quarantine timeline with them, provide direction on where they can get tested or vaccinated, answer any concerns they have, offer resources for things they may need while in quarantine, provide a work letter for their employer, and go over any information they may find useful or helpful while they go through what may be an inconvenient or difficult time.
 
Who are you outside of BRHD?
When not contact tracing from my real cool treehouse office, I enjoy relaxing outdoors, fire pits, camping, gardening, spending time with my family, kayaking on the river, nature walks, or visiting one of the many wonderful vineyards that Virginia has to offer. My husband and I just celebrated our 22nd anniversary and have an 11-year-old one son who brings us much joy. We also have a min pin named Buddy and a cat that we adopted from Cats Cradle whom my son excitedly named Sir Zippy Prancelot or Zippy for short. 
 
Previously. I was Director of Events at a local venue where I managed all private events, weddings, concerts, and festivals. When Covid-19 hit I decided to leave this career to go back to my mental health roots where I was presented with this opportunity. 
 
My husband and I also work for a local agency that offers a Sponsored Residential Placement Program to those with special needs. We opened our home around 3 years ago to a sweet elderly gentleman whom we both care for. My husband is the main caretaker for him, while I continue to contact trace and strive to be a part of the solution to help end this pandemic.  
July COVID Testing
BRHD continues to offer free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing.

Individuals tested at BRHD testing sites will receive a call within 4 days with test results. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a consenting adult.

For more testing resources and a complete list of free COVID-19 testing events, including testing events by community partners, visit the BRHD website. 

FRIDAY, July 16, 23, 30 from 5:00-7:00pm
  • Buford Middle School, 1000 Cherry Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 
  • Appointments can be scheduled the Wednesday and Thursday prior to each event by calling 434-972-6261.
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 if you're not fully vaccinated, maintain physical distance, wash hands frequently and properly, and limit indoor social gatherings with those who are unvaccinated.