Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations 

On April 19, the CDC updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. The recommendations allow adults 65 and older and immunocompromised people to get an additional updated (bivalent) vaccine dose. The CDC also updated its guidance to no longer recommend the use of the original (monovalent) COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. 

What has changed: 

• Adults ages 65 and older and immunocompromised people can get an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose. 
• Original (monovalent) COVID-19 mRNA vaccines will no longer be recommended for use in the United States. 

What has not changed: 

• CDC continues to recommend that everyone ages 6 years and older receive a bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals ages 6 years and older who have already received a bivalent mRNA vaccine do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised. 
• For young children, multiple doses continue to be recommended and will vary by age, vaccine, and which vaccines were previously received. 

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) will be implementing these new recommendations effective immediately. Please note: local health departments have limited vaccine clinics at this time. However, COVID-19 vaccines remain available at local pharmacies and through other healthcare providers. To schedule an appointment for a vaccine at BRHD, please visit our COVID-19 Vaccination Website.

BRHD Launching Outreach Network

The Blue Ridge Health District is excited to launch the BRHD Outreach Network! This professional network hub will provide an opportunity for our District's outreach professionals (Community Health Workers, Family Support Workers, Outreach Workers, Peer Recovery Specialists, and other similar positions) to network, collaborate, participate in trainings, and access continuing education opportunities. This initiative was identified as a need in our 2022 MAPP2Health Report, is an established strategy in our 2023 Community Health Improvement Plan, and is part of a 3-year Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant that BRHD received.  

Before we launch- we need your help! Below, you will find a link for the Blue Ridge Health District Outreach Network Survey. If you are a program manager and/or director of an outreach worker program, please complete this survey in its entirety by Friday, April 28, 2023. The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes. Please complete only one submission per program.  

This survey will provide BRHD's Population Health Division with the appropriate contact information for who should be invited to join the Network (both program managers and outreach workers). We will host the first Outreach Network meeting in May. Questions? Contact BRHD Director of Communications & Public Engagement Kathryn Goodman or BRHD Public Engagement Manager Tia Waters. 

Live Vape Free Virginia

Did you know E-cigarettes and vapes are the most commonly used tobacco products among youth in the United States and Virginia? Other tobacco products youth may use include cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, nicotine pouches, and synthetic nicotine products.



Nicotine in any form is highly addictive! If you talk to youth early and often about substance use, including tobacco and nicotine, they are more likely to respect your advice.

Live Vape Free VA supports youth in quitting tobacco for good. Most youth who vape or use tobacco products want to quit. Download a guide to talk to youth about vaping at Live Vape Free VA. Youth can also text VapeFreeVA to 873-373 to get support. 

YouTube Video: Think Your Teen Isn't Vaping?

Volunteer Appreciation

As we close out National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to send a big THANK YOU to all our BRHD Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Volunteers! In the last year, they have contributed immensely to BRHD programming, including COVID-19 and mpox mass vaccination clinics, BRHD chart management, Test & Go, Rapid REVIVE!, shelter exercises, UVA Student grief counseling, and more. All their efforts combined total over 1,240 hours!  

Thank you, volunteers, for contributing your time and talents to building a healthier community for us all!

National Take Back Day: Saturday, April 22

Do you have unneeded medications to get rid of? Safely dispose them at this year’s Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) National Rx Takeback on Saturday, April 22, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. The #DEATakeBack event offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at thousands of local drop-off locations nationwide. Find a collection site near you!