Category: pr-covid

RHHD TO OFFER BIVALENT COVID-19 BOOSTER BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 14TH

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RHHD TO OFFER BIVALENT COVID-19 BOOSTER BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 14TH

Sept 2, 2022- With this week’s FDA authorization and CDC recommendation, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts will start offering the new bivalent COVID-19 boosters at our September 14th COVID-19 vaccination clinic. Everyone aged 12 and older is eligible for the new Pfizer booster, and everyone aged 18 and older is eligible for the new Moderna booster. Local pharmacies and primary care physicians across the region may offer booster appointments in the coming days.

The previous COVID-19 vaccines were made to protect against the original variant of COVID-19. Over time, COVID-19 has mutated to create several new variants, some of which are better at escaping immunity from vaccines and previous infections. Bivalent vaccines combine multiple variants of COVID-19 to offer broader protection against these recent variants—specifically, these new boosters will combine components of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 with the current vaccine.

“Similar to how we update the flu vaccine each year to provide the most protection possible, these tweaks to our existing COVID-19 vaccines will give our communities a safe, effective tool to stay healthy this fall.” said Dr. Melissa Viray, Deputy Director of RHHD.

Additionally, as of August 31st, the FDA no longer authorizes the previous COVID-19 boosters (monovalent boosters) for those aged 12 and over. All boosters given moving forward to individuals aged 12 and older will be the new, bivalent formulation. As a result, RHHD will not offer any boosters doses at our September 7 and September 8 clinics as we transition our operations to the new bivalent boosters. People who walk-up or book appointments for boosters at these two clinics will be asked to reschedule for a future date. 

“The new bivalent COVID-19 boosters are yet another important tool in our growing COVID-19 toolbox. We’ve seen a bump in COVID-19 cases each fall as temperatures cool and people start to congregate inside, and these new boosters will provide an additional layer of protection.” said Dr. Elaine Perry, Director of RHHD.

COVID-19 VACCINES FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN NOW AVAILABLE

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July 1, 2022 — All Virginians from the age of six months and older are eligible now to get a free COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), following the unanimous recommendations on June 18 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna pediatric vaccines for the youngest of children.

The CDC’s independent panel of experts, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 5 years. The CDC director gave her final approval to the recommendation later that afternoon.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is a three-dose series with the first two doses administered 3 weeks apart and a third dose at least two months after the second dose. The Moderna vaccine is a two-dose series administered 4 weeks apart.

VDH would like to stress to parents that providers can choose which vaccine to offer to their patients. Some providers may choose to offer both vaccines, while others may decide only to offer one. Parents should follow up with their pediatrician or other healthcare provider for specific information about the vaccines they’ll be offering.

Because VDH has been planning for the expansion of vaccine eligibility and availability for several months, families will have many options for where to get their children a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination sites may include:

  • Pediatric offices
  • Family practice offices
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
  • Retail pharmacies for children ages 3 years and older
  • Local Health Departments

The following is a statement from Virginia’s State Vaccination Coordinator and Director of the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Immunization Christy Gray, MPH:

“With the CDC’s endorsement of the recommendation of its independent panel of advisers that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can be safely administered to children 4 years of age and younger down to 6 months of age and the Moderna vaccine to children 5 years of age down to 6 months, one of the final fronts in the battle against COVID-19 has opened up.

“We at VDH are pleased to begin offering this vaccine to parents who want to protect their youngest children from severe illness and hospitalization due to this virus. There are a variety of venues open to Virginia parents to vaccinate their children, including community vaccination events set up by local health departments, pharmacies and, of course, pediatrician’s offices. We urge parents to consult with their child’s healthcare provider about vaccination.

“VDH is excited that parents have this opportunity and are empowered to protect their youngest children against this virus.”

SECOND BOOSTER DOSES NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH RHHD

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APRIL 1, 2022- Following the recent FDA authorization of second boosters, CDC revised guidelines, and announcement from VDH that second boosters are available for Virginians, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) opens all clinics, including the Doses on Demand in-home vaccination program, to eligible individuals seeking second boosters.

According to VDH, the following individuals are now eligible to receive a second booster:

  • Adults aged 50 years and older may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the first booster dose.

  • Adults aged 18–49 years who received Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine as both their primary series dose and booster dose may receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the first Johnson & Johnson/Janssen booster dose.

  • People aged 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the first booster dose.

Many in our communities will receive their second boosters through pharmacies and private providers. Any eligible individual can also now receive their second booster by making an appointment, walking in at a clinic, or scheduling an in-home vaccination through Doses on Demand; visit vax.rchd.com or call 804-205-3501 to learn more about these options. Upcoming walk-in clinics are listed below.

  • April 1, 2022 (Fr) from 9am-11am at Southwood Pool House (Clarkson Rd. and Southwood Parkway)

  • April 1, 2022 (Fri) from 1pm-2:45pm, Fairfield Resource Center (2506 Phaup St, Richmond, VA 23223)

STATEMENT FROM VIRGINIA STATE VACCINATION COORDINATOR CHRISTY GRAY ON RECOMMENDATION OF SECOND COVID-19 BOOSTER DOSE FOR PERSONS 50 YEARS AND OLDER, IMMUNOCOMPROMISED INDIVIDUALS AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON RECIPIENTS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 30, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT, Logan Anderson, VDH PIO
logan.anderson@vdh.virginia.gov

Statement from Virginia State Vaccination Coordinator Christy Gray on the Recommendation of Second COVID-19 Booster Dose for Persons 50 Years and Older, Immunocompromised Individuals and Johnson & Johnson Recipients

March 31, 2022 — The Virginia Department of Health is announcing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance for COVID-19 vaccination. Second booster doses may now be provided to certain populations in the Commonwealth.

    • Adults aged 50 years and older may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the first booster dose.
    • Adults aged 18–49 years who received Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine as both their primary series dose and booster dose may receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the first Johnson & Johnson/Janssen booster dose.
    • People aged 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the first booster dose.

Approximately 1 million Virginians are now eligible for a second booster, according to VDH, and now have access should they wish to receive one. Virginians are encouraged to consult with their healthcare provider regarding their own risk assessment to decide whether or not to receive a second booster.

The following is a statement from Virginia’s State Vaccination Coordinator and Director of the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Immunization Christy Gray, M.P.H:

“VDH welcomes CDC’s updated guidance. This is not a blanket recommendation for everyone. Members of the general population who are staying up-to-date on their vaccine remain well protected from severe disease without a second booster. We want to provide the public with information so they can consult with their healthcare provider to make an informed choice to address their own level of personal risk. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen that the older you are or if you’re moderately or severely immunocompromised, the more you are at risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death if you contract COVID-19. There is ample supply of vaccine available in the state to ensure everyone eligible for a second booster will be able to get one.”

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Those who are unvaccinated and without a booster remain at the highest risk of severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19. This population remains VDH’s top priority. Everyone 5 years or older is eligible to be vaccinated. To find free vaccination opportunities near you, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1). Assistance is available in English, Spanish, and more than 100 other languages.

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RHHD OFFERS AT-HOME COVID-19 VACCINES TO ANYONE THROUGH DOSES ON DEMAND

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March 23, 2022- Starting today, March 23, 2022, any Richmond or Henrico resident who is interested in a free COVID-19 vaccine can now call the Richmond and Henrico Health District (RHHD) hotline to schedule a time for nurses to come to your home to give you a COVID-19 vaccine. The program, called Doses on Demand, is available for adult and child primary series and booster doses and will offer all vaccine types.

“We previously offered this program for folks who were very ill, elderly, or who had extreme difficulty leaving their house,” explains Joanna Cirillo, Public Health Nurse Supervisor. “But now, with lower demand, we’re able to offer more individualized services to everyone and make it as easy as possible for folks to get a vaccine… we hope this helps folks get vaccinated and boosted who might have challenges like transportation, child care, etc.”

Individuals who are interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine from Doses on Demand can call 804-205-3501 to schedule an appointment with an RHHD representative. The program is available to everyone who lives in Richmond and Henrico, is free, and does not require health insurance.

Doses on Demand appointments are typically offered about two weeks out from when an individual calls, but there are many same-day walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics available in our community. To find a walk-in clinic or make an appointment, visit vax.rchd.com or call 804-205-3501.