Category: pr

October 7, 2021- The Virginia Department of Health is set to open a Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at the Richmond Raceway starting on Tuesday, October 12th. This CVC will offer COVID-19 vaccines to the greater Richmond community. The CVC will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00 am-7:30 pm. Individuals who qualify for a COVID-19 vaccination initial series or booster can schedule an appointment at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877 VAX-IN-VA. Walk-ins are also welcomed. All three COVID-19 vaccine types and Pfizer booster vaccines will be available.

“The CVC will supplement doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and local health districts to create an even more robust network of COVID-19 vaccine providers,” explains Amy Popovich, Nurse Manager for RHHD. “The weekend and evening hours make it even more convenient for busy families.”

“The Raceway has proven to be an incredibly effective and convenient location for individuals to get their COVID-19 vaccines,” explains Rob Rowley, Henrico County’s Chief of Emergency Management and Workplace Safety. “About 160,000 doses have been given at the raceway previously… we are proud to once again have a bustling vaccination hub for Henrico County and our surrounding communities.”

“Part of the motivation in setting up CVCs is staying prepared for an upcoming eligible 5-11-year-old population, as well as an increasing demand for boosters,” says Dr. Danny Avula, Virginia Vaccine Coordinator. “We are building vaccine coverage across the whole state.”

These and other COVID-19 vaccination opportunities can be found by visiting vaccinate.virginia.gov or calling 877-VAX-IN-VA.

September 16, 2021- Black Richmond kids and teens ages 12 and older are getting vaccinated against COVID-19 at much lower rates than their White and Latino counterparts. RHHD estimates that White kids and teenagers are vaccinated at a rate two to three times higher than that of Black kids and teenagers. “We anticipate factors such as lack of access to resources that allow parents to get their kids vaccinated and distrust of healthcare and governmental systems play a role,” explains Jackie Lawrence, Director of Health Equity at RHHD. “Low vaccination rates are one of many ways that racism in the medical community has a long standing impact on how folks access lifesaving healthcare services.”

“While children tend to recover well from COVID-19, the potential to spread it to more vulnerable individuals in their family is high,” explains Dr. Melissa Viray, Deputy Director at RHHD. “This disparity is deeply concerning to us, especially as we move into the fall and winter months when there is higher community transmission… Black communities were already disproportionately impacted last year before we had vaccinations.”

In addition to RHHD’s ongoing outreach and vaccination efforts, RHHD plans to combat this disparity with a three part action plan:

•  Transparency and data sharing: RHHD will inform the general public on this disparity. RHHD will also provide special communication to key stakeholders (namely schools, faith communities, pediatricians, and parents) on the disparity so data trends can inform their work.
• Outreach and education: RHHD will expand its partnerships with afterschool programs, youth employers, sports leagues, youth group homes, and more to provide youth an opportunity to ask questions and receive accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines.
• Vaccination opportunities: RHHD will partner with schools and other youth-focused partners to offer COVID-19 vaccinations onsite. RHHD will also continue to monitor areas with low vaccine uptake to offer COVID-19 vaccines in those areas.

“RHHD will continue building relationships with our neighbors, embedding vaccination opportunities within local African American communities, and developing partnerships with community leaders,” says Amy Popovich, Nurse Manager at RHHD. “This disparity weighs heavily on us and we are ready to keep showing up for our local communities.” COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in Richmond. To find a COVID-19 vaccination opportunity, visit vax.rchd.com or call 804-205-3501.

September 3, 2021- Starting the week of September 5th, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) will open COVID-19 testing services at two of the COVID-19 vaccination community hubs that opened earlier this week. The two hubs will provide communities a consistent and reliable location to get tested for COVID-19. Meanwhile, a rotating testing clinic is also being added to increase access to testing across more communities.

The two hubs include Tuesdays at Second Baptist Church (drive through) and Wednesdays at Eastern Henrico Recreation Center (walk up). Both hubs offer testing from 9:00am-11:00am. Rotating events on Thursdays will occur at various locations and times with the first happening on September 9th at Hotchkiss Field Community Center from 1:00pm-3:00pm.

“Throughout the planning of the COVID-19 vaccination hubs, we have been working to offer more services out of the sites,” explains Dylan Knight, Testing Coordinator at RHHD. “Offering testing in the morning and vaccines in the afternoon allows us to offer those services at the same site without potentially exposing someone who is coming in to get vaccinated with someone who may be coming in with COVID-19 symptoms to get tested.”

To learn more about all available COVID-19 vaccination and testing, visit www.rchd.com.

About Richmond and Henrico Health Districts: RHHD are sister public health agencies serving Richmond’s and Henrico’s communities. Our mission is to expose and address the root causes of health disparities, protect health by preventing the spread of disease, and build health equity by partnering with communities and working collaboratively across sectors.

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August 30, 2021- Starting in September, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) will open four COVID-19 vaccination hubs that will each operate weekly in the coming months. These four small hubs will supplement RHHD’s ongoing pop up events in partnership with large employers, faith communities, community organizations, and more.

The opening of the four hubs follows the closing of RHHD’s last mass vaccination site at George Wythe High School earlier this month. Hubs are located in Richmond’s downtown and southside and in eastern and western Henrico to provide access to multiple communities.

“What we learned throughout our vaccination efforts so far is that a combination of clinics at stable locations and pop up events with community outreach is helpful in creating vaccine access,” explains Joanna Cirillo, Public Health Nurse Supervisor at RHHD. “These small hubs allow for folks to learn about events through word of mouth…communities know where we will be.”

The clinic locations and times are as follows:

• Tuesdays, 3:00 pm-6:00 pm (first clinic on September 7th): Second Baptist Church (3300 Broad Rock Blvd)
• Wednesdays, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm: Henrico Recreation Center (1440 N Laburnum Ave)
• Thursdays, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm: RHHD Downtown Location (400 E Cary St)
• Fridays, 9:00 am-12:00 pm: RHHD Henrico West Location (8600 Dixon Powers Dr)

To learn more about all available COVID-19 vaccination opportunities, visit vax.rchd.com.

About Richmond and Henrico Health Districts: RHHD are sister public health agencies serving Richmond’s and Henrico’s communities. Our mission is to expose and address the root causes of health disparities, protect health by preventing the spread of disease, and build health equity by partnering with communities and working collaboratively across sectors.

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August 27, 2021- The Richmond Opioid Task Force and Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are honoring International Opioid Awareness Day with education and Naloxone dispensing events throughout the day.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include fentanyl, heroin, and many prescription pain medications. In 2020, 430 people in the Richmond area (Richmond City and Henrico, Hanover, and Chesterfield Counties) died of a drug overdose, with opioids contributing to 90% of those deaths. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and save lives.

“This is a day for us to remember those who we have lost, educate one another on ways to support loved ones who use substances, and learn how to respond to overdose emergencies,” explains Julie Karr, Opioid Coordinator at RHHD.

Events are scheduled on August 31, 2021 throughout the day and offer Naloxone as well as information on harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. The day concludes with a candlelight vigil at 6:00pm at McShin Foundation (2300 Dumbarton Rd).

Below is the list of events:

• Brookland Park (2931 Chamberlayne Ave), 11:00am-1:00pm

• Neighborhood Resource Center (1519 Williamsburg Rd), 11:00am-1:00pm

• Deep Run Park (9900 Ridgefield Pkwy), 11:00am-3:00pm

• Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church (913 N 1st St), 11:30am-1:30pm

• REAL Life and Family Transition Coaches (1111 N 25th St), 2:00-4:00pm

• Daily Planet (517 W Grace St), 2:00-6:00pm

• Monroe Park (620 W Main St), 4:00-6:00pm

• Richmond City Health District (400 E Main St), 4:00-6:00pm

• McShin Foundation (2300 Dumbarton Rd), 4:30-7:30pm

About Richmond and Henrico Health Districts: RHHD are sister public health agencies serving Richmond’s and Henrico’s communities. Our mission is to expose and address the root causes of health disparities, protect health by preventing the spread of disease, and build health equity by partnering with communities and working collaboratively across sectors.

RCHD Website  |  HCHD Website  |   RCHD Facebook  |  HCHD Facebook  |  RCHD Instagram  |  RCHD Twitter

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AUGUST 18, 2021  – Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are partnering with EAT Restaurant Partners to offer COVID-19 vaccines to restaurant workers and the general public. Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be offered at Fat Dragon (1200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd) on Thursday, August 19th from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm. 

Individuals vaccinated at the event can enjoy 15% off of their entire bill at any of Eat Restaurants Partners’ locations on August 19th by showing their vaccination card. Participating restaurants include Fat Dragon, Foo Dog, Boulevard Burgers and Brew, Wong Gonzalez, Pizza Beer Richmond, Hot Chick, Beijing on Grove, Red Salt, Fatty Smokes, Wong’s Tacos, Lucky Asian Fusion, Osaka, and Wild Ginger. 

Eat Restaurant Partners is also holding the event to ensure vaccines are accessible to their staff. They are offering additional incentives for their employees.

“Something we pride ourselves at EAT group is not only offering great food, but also an incredible atmosphere,” explains Brooke Clarke of Eat Restaurant Partners. “We want our customers to know that we value their health and safety… and getting vaccinated is the best way to stay safe from COVID-19.” 

“Partnering with employers has been one of the most effective methods of getting folks vaccinated this summer,” explains Joanna Cirillo, Public Health Nurse Supervisor. “It’s a win-win; employees have an accessible option to access this critical health service and employers can feel more assured that they are maintaining a healthy workplace environment for their employees.” 

For more information on COVID-19 vaccine opportunities in the Richmond and Henrico area, visit vax.rchd.com or call 804-205-3501. 

About Richmond and Henrico Health Districts: RHHD are sister public health agencies serving Richmond’s and Henrico’s communities. Our mission is to expose and address the root causes of health disparities, protect health by preventing the spread of disease, and build health equity by partnering with communities and working collaboratively across sectors.

RCHD Website  |  HCHD Website  |   RCHD Facebook  |  HCHD Facebook  |  RCHD Instagram  |  RCHD Twitter  

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RICHMOND, VA – Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) will hold its last George Wythe High School COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Wednesday, August 11th from 3:00pm-6:00pm. The first 75 patients who get vaccinated during this clinic will be offered a coupon for a free ice cream at Charm School Study Hall.

Alongside the Richmond Raceway and the Arthur Ashe Center, George Wythe High School was one of the three mass vaccination sites opened to offer a high volume of vaccination opportunities to the Richmond and Henrico area. Since opening its doors in March, about 10,000 doses have been administered at the George Wythe site.

The clinic will close as Richmond Public Schools (RPS) prepares for the first day of classes.

“The health district has been a vital partner in making sure our students, families, and staff are ready for a healthy start to an in-person school year,” says Jason Kamras, RPS Superintendent. “We are excited to welcome back our students and staff to our buildings and are grateful to the health district for their collaboration in ensuring that our community has easy access to vaccines.”

Despite the George Wythe site soon closing, RHHD will continue to have numerous COVID-19 vaccination opportunities available for the general public.

“In addition to the five to ten pop-up vaccine clinics we have in any given week, we have a regular Friday clinic at our Henrico West location,” explains Joanna Cirillo, Public Health Nurse Supervisor at RHHD. “Folks can expect new ongoing sites to be announced soon… including an option in Richmond’s Southside.”

For information on COVID-19 vaccine opportunities in the Richmond and Henrico area, visit vax.rchd.com or call 804-205-3501.

About Richmond and Henrico Health Districts: RHHD are sister public health agencies serving Richmond’s and Henrico’s communities. Our mission is to expose and address the root causes of health disparities, protect health by preventing the spread of disease, and build health equity by partnering with communities and working collaboratively across sectors. 

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