With the availability of booster doses this week, the District saw an increase in overall vaccination rates. As a reminder, our top priority remains increasing vaccination rates for those needing their 1st or 2nd dose. Those who are unvaccinated remain at the highest risk of severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19. And those who are unvaccinated put loved ones who cannot yet be vaccinated - including children 0-11 years old - at risk. Help keep our kids in the District safe and in school by encouraging anyone you know who is 12+ to get vaccinated. Visit our listing of this week's vaccination sites at our website.
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COVID Booster Shots in BRHD |
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A few things to remember about Boosters in BRHD:
- Boosters are available by APPOINTMENT ONLY at BRHD vaccine sites.
- Currently, only Pfizer recipients are eligible for boosters. Those who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson do not yet qualify for boosters.
- When scheduling your booster, do not schedule Pfizer booster shots in Moderna or Johnson & Johnson slots in VASE+. If you schedule a booster during a Moderna or Johnson & Johnson slot, we will reschedule you for the next available Pfizer booster shot appointment.
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It is okay to wait for your booster. You must wait AT LEAST 6 months after the second Pfizer dose, but do not need to receive the booster exactly at 6 months for it to be effective. You have plenty of protection from serious illness without the booster.
Over the next two weeks, more booster appointments will become available at BRHD clinics. In the meantime, there are several clinics and community partners offering boosters throughout the District. Click here to find a booster clinic near you.
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COVID Follow-up and Containment
Measures in School Settings
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BRHD is now prioritizing investigating cases with children in daycare facilities, pre-K, and K-12 schools:
- Schools will identify and notify these individuals of any school-based exposures (in school, on bus, after-school activities, etc.)
- BRHD will identify and notify close contacts in community settings (sports, family gatherings, etc.)
As a reminder, students should stay home when sick, after testing positive for COVID, or after an exposure (in quarantine). Parents should monitor and track their children’s symptoms and consult with a pediatrician.
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No ID cards or proof of insurance is required when receiving a COVID vaccine with BRHD. However, it is important to provide your full, legal name when registering for a vaccine.
Nicknames or shortened names will not record your vaccine records in the state database. In the short term, this may prohibit you from being able to receive a vaccine/booster. In the long run, this will make it harder for you to obtain accurate records of your vaccines and other important health documentation.
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Free STI Testing: Test & Go |
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Did you know the most common symptom of a sexually transmitted infection is no symptom at all? This means it is possible to be infected and spread infections without even knowing it! That’s why it is important to routinely get tested for STIs if you are sexually active. STI testing is as simple as a blood and urine sample, in most cases, and results are back in just a couple of days. If you test positive, every infection is either curable or manageable with medications available at your local health department.
To help increase access to free STI testing, BRHD hosts Test & Go at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department from 4:30-6:00pm on the first Wednesday of each month. This clinic provides free screenings for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, as well as free safer sex items like condoms, lube, and dental dams.
Have questions? For more information call 434-972-6269.
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Each week, we 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 Sayra Hernandez, Vaccine Data Management Systems Unit.
How long have you been at BRHD?
Since January 2021
What is your job?
I'm a part of the team helping both English and Spanish speaking community members schedule vaccine appointments. I also work closely with our equity partners in ensuring all community members have the opportunity to get vaccinated, focusing much time on working with schools throughout the District to keep our students safe and healthy.
Who are you outside of BRHD?
Outside of work, you will find me at a barn SOMEWHERE ! I love anything equine, and with 2 hound pups they make sure I stay outdoors. I secretly enjoy painting as a stress reliever if I am not at the gym. Before BRHD, I was very involved with physical therapy (FT) and functional testing. With so much personal history in PT treatment from sports injuries, I have learned how the effects of such a small change can truly restructure a person's whole perspective on life, and I hope I am able to be that for as many people as possible.
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FREE COVID Testing in BRHD |
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To meet local demand, BRHD is hosting COVID PCR testing in each locality one day every week from 5:00-7:00pm. Appointments are not required, but may be made the two days prior by calling the BRHD COVID Resource Hotline (434-972-6261).
Testing Schedule:
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Mondays- Greene County Health Department
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Tuesdays- Louisa County Health Department
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Wednesdays- Fluvanna County Health Department
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Thursdays- Nelson County Health Department
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Fridays- former J.C. Penney parking lot at Fashion Square Mall in Charlottesville/Albemarle
In addition to the above testing options, UVA Health offers free COVID-19 PCR tests in the greater Charlottesville/Albemarle area:
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Mondays: The Church of the Incarnation, 6:00-7:30pm
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Tuesdays: Mt. Zion African Baptist Church, 5:30-7:00pm.
PCR testing is also available at the former J.C. Penney parking lot in Charlottesville on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 3:00-7:00pm.
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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, maintain physical distance, wash hands frequently and properly, and limit indoor social gatherings.
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