COVID-19 Vaccine Supply + BRHD Updates
A message from the Governor’s office today: “Based on our population, Virginia will begin receiving approximately 161,000 doses of vaccine per week from the federal government, an increase of 25% over the current weekly allocation of approximately 129,000, and 53% more than Virginia’s initial weekly allocation of 105,000 doses. While these increases are significant, there are still not enough doses available for everyone who is eligible to receive them. Virginia expects to meet the demand for Phase 1B in March or April. Pre-registered individuals may need to wait weeks or longer for available appointments.”

The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) is currently vaccinating individuals who qualify as Phase 1A healthcare workers, 1B essential workers, and 1B individuals ages 65+. We expanded vaccinations to include 65+ last week. Nearly 50% of our District qualifies for a vaccine at this time and as our vaccine supply increases, we will continue vaccinating the rest of 1B. As the Governor has shared, this may not happen until March or April.

Next week, BRHD will receive its biggest increase in vaccine supply since we began vaccinating on January 4, 2021. BRHD will receive 4,170 first dose vaccines (both Pfizer and Moderna). Nearly half of these will be distributed to UVA Health to assist with vaccinating Phase 1A and 1B individuals at the Seminole Square location and Community Sites. Additionally, 300 doses will go to the Blue Ridge Medical Center in Nelson and 300 doses will go to Walmart Pharmacies in Greene and Louisa for vaccinating individuals 65+.
Previous + Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
Over 47,300 individuals have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the Blue Ridge Health District. BRHD has partnered with UVA Health, Sentara MJH, and community leaders and volunteers to host a number of community-based clinics in the District, including for educators and school staff, residents of public housing, primary caregivers, individuals experiencing homelessness, people who are incarcerated, affordable housing communities for older adults, etc.

BRHD remains committed to offering weekly vaccination clinics in all localities within the District (Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson). There are a number of upcoming vaccination clinics hosted by BRHD, UVA Health, and through community collaborations scheduled next week, all by appointment only. Additional sites in surrounding counties, like Fluvanna, will be confirmed and added to next week’s schedule soon.

  • Saturday, February 27 - Albemarle, Charlottesville, Greene, Louisa
  • Monday March 1 - Albemarle, Charlottesville
  • Tuesday, March 2 - Albemarle, Charlottesville
  • Wednesday, March 3 - Albemarle, Charlottesville
  • Thursday, March 4 - Albemarle, Charlottesville, Nelson
  • Friday, March 5 - Albemarle, Charlottesville, Louisa
  • Saturday, March 6 - Albemarle, Charlottesville, Greene

As our vaccine supply continues to increase, there will be more opportunities to get vaccinated throughout the District at community-based clinics, pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, primary care providers, and more.
Pre-Registration: How to Sign Up for Vaccines
The Commonwealth of Virginia recently launched a Statewide Vaccine Pre-Registration System to provide a unified and comprehensive process for people in Virginia to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine.
 
If you have not already done so, please pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine using the statewide pre-registration system. To pre-register, you may:
Individuals who previously filled out a BRHD survey will be automatically imported into the new statewide system - no further action is required. Individuals will maintain their current status in the queue, and will be able to search that they are in the new system using the “check the list” feature. 
 
At this time, people are unable to edit their pre-registration submission. The State is working on this feature and we understand that individuals will be able to update their submissions very soon. When that time comes, we will notify the public and ask that every one update their submission so that we have the latest, most accurate information available.
 
In the meantime, anyone may complete the pre-registration process to express interest in receiving a vaccine as they become more widely available. One of the best tools to get our community vaccinated efficiently is to pre-register ourselves and loved ones. If you would like to help spread the word about this system and how to pre-register, please feel free to use the pre-registration promotion materials found here.
PrepMod Links: A Reminder Not to Share
If you receive a PrepMod link directly from BRHD or your employer to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, please DO NOT share the link.

Anyone who schedules an appointment that did not receive the link directly from BRHD or their employer, will be notified of their appointment being cancelled and turned away.

We are required by VDH to use PrepMod and have been told that the link sharing concern will soon be resolved. In the meantime, we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Community-Based Clinics: A Success Story
As a health district, we know we need to better reach Black and Latinx community members who are experiencing the highest rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. We are working with community leaders in each locality in our District to support community led vaccination sites, providing another pathway to increase access to vaccination. Last weekend, community leaders, volunteers, and organizations came together at Carver Recreation Center (2/20/21) and Yancey Community Center (2/14/21) to administer 900 doses to community members from across our district.

The Carver Recreation Center event was focused on increasing access to vaccination for Black and Latinx community members. Jackie Martin and her team from the Sentara Starr Hill Health Center, Rev. Dr. Edwards and Rev. Dr. Bates from the African American Pastors Council and many others used a model developed by Dr. Jeanita W. Richardson and worked with a team of volunteers to pre register people from across the district. They then ran a random drawing for 450 doses and volunteers called and scheduled the appointments. Dr. Luna and Tina Nunez from the UVA Latino Health Initiative worked with promotoras de salud (Spanish-speaking community health workers), Sin Barreras, and others to register Latinx community members. UVA Health provided vaccinators and managed the vaccine and the City of Charlottesville provided space and logistical support. 600 community members were vaccinated throughout the day. The African American Pastors Council is advocating at the state level to hold this up as a model for communities across the Commonwealth. We want to thank the many community leaders, volunteers and organizations who made this possible!

The Yancey Community Center event was focused on increasing access to vaccination for people 65+ in Southern Albemarle, specifically in the Esmont area. In addition to 32 community volunteers, the event was supported by Albemarle County Police, HEARR (Health Equity and Access in Rural Regions), Albemarle County Fire and Rescue, Emergency Communications Center, Albemarle Facilities and Environmental Services, Albemarle Parks and Recreation, Albemarle Office of Equity & Inclusion, VDOT, Albemarle Co. Print Shop, Albemarle Co. Communications Department, Mission Barbecue, Janitorial Services of Virginia/Jimmy Belew, Tourterelle Florist, Blue Ridge Health District & UVA Heath. Nearly 300 community members were vaccinated throughout the day. We want to thank the many community leaders, volunteers and organizations who made this possible!
March COVID-19 Testing Sites
While we work to vaccinate the District, BRHD continues to offer free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing. Each event will have the capacity to test 200 persons:100 pre-registered clients and 100 walk-ins. Below are sites happening next week.

Monday, March 1, from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Nelson Heritage Center, 1653 Thomas Nelson Hwy, Arrington, VA 22922
  • Register on 2/26 to guarantee a test: 434-972-6261.

Wednesday, March 3, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Beaver Dam Baptist Church, 1794 Richmond Road, Troy, VA 22974
  • Register on 3/1 or 3/2 to guarantee a test: 434-972-6261.

Friday, March 5, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Charlottesville High School, 1400 Melbourne Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901
  • Register on 3/3 and 3/4 to guarantee a test: 434-972-6261.

For a complete list of free drive-thru COVID-19 testing events in February, visit the BRHD website.
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.
Protect yourself and others by continuing to wear your mask, keeping your distance from others, and avoiding indoor gatherings.