COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Vaccine Transition Plan

December 30, 2022, will be the last day of weekly health department and community-based COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Starting in January, 2023, BRHD will only offer Moderna brand COVID-19 vaccines during regular health department immunization clinics (which vary by health department). This means that BRHD will no longer host MOBI on the Mall, weekly health department, or other community-based clinics in the new year. We are thankful for the wonderful staff who dedicated countless hours towards community-based vaccine clinics over the past two years. Community members will need to call their local health department to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine at a BRHD clinic. Find your local health department on the BRHD website.

There are many other options for getting a COVID-19 vaccine in our area. Community members can contact their primary care provider, pediatrician, or local pharmacy or grocery store to determine COVID-19 vaccine availability. Retail pharmacies throughout the District continue to offer COVID-19 vaccinations on a weekly basis. A list of many of these pharmacies can be found on our vaccination website. Additional providers may be found at vaccines.gov. 

Please note: It is possible that COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be free of charge in the new year, due to changes in federal funding. They will likely be billable through insurance, but the expected cost is not yet known. 

We encourage everyone who is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot before the winter holidays. BRHD is hosting a number of community vaccine clinics in November and December. Find the clinic schedule on our vaccination webpage  or search in VASE+ to schedule an appointment. Now is a great time to build extra protection before the holidays! 

Community Spread of COVID-19 in Virginia

As of this week, the majority of Virginia counties are seeing ‘low’ levels of COVID-19 transmission. Only two counties in the entire Commonwealth are seeing ‘high’ levels of transmission... a positive upward trend from the previous month. Our goal is to keep the momentum going! Continue using good health practices like frequent hand washing to keep COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses (like the flu and RSV) at bay! Visit the CDC’s COVID-19 by County website to check the levels of transmission in your county.

Halloween Safety

The pumpkins are carved, the costumes have been picked out, and Halloween is almost here! Make sure you’re ready for treats and no tricks with these safety tips: 

On the Candy Trail

• Always accompany young children
• Only trick-or-treat at houses with the lights on 
• Never enter a home or car for candy
• Bring a flashlight

At-Home

• Clear your porch/yard of tripping hazards
• Sweep any wet leaves off the walking path
• Turn on your porch lights
• Keep pets on a leash

And most importantly, don’t give out candy if you’re not feeling well. Instead, place a bowl of candy with hand sanitizer on your porch instead! The same goes for trick-or-treaters… stay home if you’re not feeling well. Worried about staying home and missing out on all the goodies? Tag a buddy to collect treats for you! 

Visit the American Pediatric Association’s Halloween health and safety tips website for more information.

World Stroke Day

This Saturday, October 29, we're recognizing World Stroke Day. A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood flow to your brain is cut off. Without blood (and the oxygen it carries), brain cells and tissue may become damaged or die. Depending on how which part of the brain was affected and how quickly it’s treated, the disabling impacts of a stroke can last short or long term. 

As research has reported that infection(s) from the SARS-COV-2 virus can increase the likelihood of strokes, it’s more important than ever to recognize the signs and know what to do. Minutes can save lives!

Remember: if you suspect someone may be experiencing a stroke, act F.A.S.T.

• Facial drooping
• Ask the person to smile- does one side droop?
• Arm weakness
• Ask the person to raise both arms- does one arm drift downward?
• Speech difficulties
• Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred?
• Time to call 9-1-1
• If a person shows any of the above signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. 

To learn more about stroke prevention and emergency response, visit the CDC’s About Stroke webpage or read their Know the Facts About Stroke handout.

National Take Back Day

Do you have unnecessary or expired medication you need to dispose of? Tomorrow, Saturday October 29, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day! Consider dropping off unneeded medications at the following participating community locations between 10am and 2pm:

• Wegman’s at 100 Wegman’s Way in Charlottesville (with Albemarle County Police)
• Sentara Martha Jefferson at 500 Martha Jefferson Drive (with Albemarle County Police)
• Nelson County Sheriff’s Office at 94 Courthouse Square in Lovingston
• Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office at 194 Turkeysag Trail in Palmyra

Find other nearby drop-off locations by searching via zip code with the National Take Back Initiative Collection ​​Site Search Tool. You can also stop by any of the local health department offices during normal business hours (M-F, 8AM-4:30PM) to pick up free medication disposal bags. Additionally, Region Ten provides free medication lock boxes and drug disposal bags to interested community members. Find details at http://www.regionten.org/doyourpart. 

To learn more about the importance of proper medication disposal and alternative locations for prescription medication drop-off, visit the Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition’s Medication Safety website.