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RHHD Joins with Health Brigade to Offer Free Vaccinations at Needle Exchange Sites

Posted on November 17, 2023 by amberpadilla

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 — The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) collaborates with community partner Health Brigade to deliver free vaccination clinics during needle exchange events.

Health Brigade offers evidence-based comprehensive harm reduction services that help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C among persons that inject drugs, their families, and the larger community. RHHD partners with Health Brigade to offer monthly COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinics at needle exchange locations.

“Our partnership with RHHD provides COVID-19 and flu vaccines to areas of Richmond and a population that otherwise would not have access,” said Health Brigade Comprehensive Harm Reduction Program Co-Coordinators Dziko Singleton and Colin King in a joint statement. “We think it is important to provide these vaccines in a community outreach setting and look forward to our continued the partnership with RHHD.”

“Health Brigade has been a wonderful partner in helping us to work towards the RHHD vision of making sure healthcare services are accessible to all,” said RHHD Nurse Supervisor Joanna Cirillo. “In addition to the COVID-19 and flu vaccines, we can educate clients about other vaccinations they might be eligible for.”

RHHD encourages residents to visit vaccines.gov, where they can search for nearby COVID-19 and flu vaccination appointments. Residents should bring their insurance card and ID to their appointment. RHHD offers immunization clinics at its Henrico East, Henrico West, and Cary Street locations. Spanish bilingual staff are available at each location. Residents can schedule appointments at an RHHD site by calling (804) 205-3501 and can find more information at rhhd.gov/flu and rhhd.gov/covid-vax.

Cary Street Clinic 400 E. Cary St. Richmond, VA 23219

Henrico East Clinic 1400 N. Laburnum Ave. Richmond, VA 23223

Henrico West Clinic 8600 Dixon Powers Dr. Henrico, VA 23228

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities.
Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.

rhhd.gov | henrico.us/health | RCHD Facebook | HCHD Facebook | IG: @richmondcity_hd

RHHD Encourages Residents to Schedule an Appointment to Receive the 2023-2024 Flu Immunization

Posted on October 12, 2023October 12, 2023 by amberpadilla

October 12, 2023 — The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage residents to prepare for flu season by scheduling an immunization appointment with their physician, a local pharmacy, or at an RHHD clinic or event.

“Getting your flu shot is a great way to protect yourself and the community,” said Sarah Widmer, RHHD Nurse Manager. “We encourage Richmond and Henrico Residents to come out to our event on October 23 or make an appointment with their doctor, their local pharmacy or with our Immunization Clinic.”

RHHD will host a walk-up flu immunization event at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center (1440 N Laburnum Ave. Richmond, VA 23223) Monday, Oct 23 from 9 – 11 a.m. The flu shot will be available to insured, underinsured, and uninsured residents free of charge at the event.

Monday, Oct 23
9 – 11 a.m.

Walk-up Flu Immunization Event
No appointment needed

Eastern Henrico Rec Center
1440 N Laburnum Ave
Richmond, VA 23223

RHHD also encourages residents to visit vaccines.gov, where they can search for nearby vaccination appointments. Residents should bring their insurance card to their appointment. RHHD offers immunization clinics at its Henrico East, Henrico West, and Cary Street locations. Spanish bilingual staff are available at each location. Residents can schedule appointments at an RHHD site by calling (804) 205-3501 and can find more information at rhhd.gov/flu.

Henrico East Clinic
1400 N. Laburnum Ave.
Richmond, VA 23223

Henrico West Clinic
8600 Dixon Powers Dr.
Henrico, VA 23228

Cary Street Clinic
400 E. Cary St.
Richmond, VA 23219

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.

rhhd.gov | henrico.us/health | RCHD Facebook | HCHD Facebook | IG: @richmondcity_hd

RHHD Encourages Residents to Schedule Appointments to Receive the 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine

Posted on October 6, 2023 by amberpadilla

October 6, 2023 —The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage residents to schedule an appointment for the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Residents can access the vaccine at their healthcare provider, at a local pharmacy, or at an RHHD event or clinic. The vaccine is available for free with most insurance plans. Adults without insurance can access the vaccine through the Bridge Access Program. Uninsured children can receive the vaccine through the Vaccines for Children Program. RHHD encourages residents to visit vaccines.gov to search for nearby vaccination appointments — including those at locations participating in the Bridge Access Program.

“The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way for residents to protect themselves from severe illness due to the virus,” said RHHD Health Director, Dr. Elaine Perry. “The vaccine is safe and effective and has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing Long COVID.” Residents can call (804) 205-3501 to set up a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at an RHHD clinic. Appointments will be available starting in November.

RHHD, Cary Street Clinic 400 E. Cary St. Richmond, VA 23219

RHHD, Henrico East Clinic 1400 N. Laburnum Ave. Richmond, VA 23223

The 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax have been approved and authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The distribution of COVID-19 vaccines changed in September 2023 as these products moved to the commercial market. RHHD will provide vaccines for residents free of charge regardless of insurance status. Adult residents and parents of children with insurance are encouraged to check for coverage with their insurance provider and to bring their insurance card to their appointment. CDC’s Bridge Access Program provides no-cost COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs. The CDC Vaccines for Children Program provides vaccines to uninsured children. Those enrolled in Medicaid Part B or Medicare will also receive the vaccine free of charge. To make an appointment at an RHHD Clinic, please call (804) 205-3501 or visit rhhd.gov/covid-vax. Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.

rhhd.gov | henrico.us/health | RCHD Facebook | HCHD Facebook | IG: @richmondcity_hd

RHHD celebrates successful school-required immunizations and physicals campaign

Posted on September 5, 2023 by amberpadilla

RICHMOND, VA — The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) celebrate distribution of 2,273 doses of school–required immunizations for middle and high school-aged children at 64 events in Richmond and Henrico. 258 students also received school-required physicals at 11 events. RHHD began its 2023 immunizations and physicals effort in April and held its final event on August 29. Students received vaccinations for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV); Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap); and Meningitis (MenACWY). In addition to hosting its own events, RHHD nurses coordinated with and provided support to Richmond and Henrico public school nursing staff for in-school events.

“We are proud to have such a strong partnership with the Henrico County and Richmond City Public School systems,” said Public Health Nurse Supervisor, Ashley Lancaster. “Our shared goal is to remove any potential barriers that might prevent students from receiving their required immunizations.”

Families can access immunizations and physicals for their children at RHHD facilities year-round. RHHD offers appointments at Henrico East, Henrico West, and Cary Street clinics. Families can schedule appointments at an RHHD site by calling (804) 205-3501 and can find more information at RHHD.gov/childhoodvax.

RHHD, Henrico East Clinic 1400 N. Laburnum Ave. Richmond, VA 23223

RHHD, Henrico West Clinic 8600 Dixon Powers Dr. Henrico, VA 23228

RHHD, Cary Street Clinic 400 E. Cary St. Richmond, VA 23219

Families may also schedule an appointment with one of RHHD’s community partners. A list of community partners can be found here: rhhd.gov/childhoodvax-partners.

RHHD Community Health Workers expand access to naloxone and naloxone training in Resource Centers

Posted on July 31, 2023 by amberpadilla

July 31, 2023 — Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) expand access to naloxone (generic Narcan) and naloxone training for residents living near RHHD Resource Centers through the REVIVE! Lay Rescuer Training of Trainers program. This program empowers Community Health Workers (CHW) to teach the general public how to administer naloxone to stop an opioid overdose. Residents can receive this important training in RHHD’s Resource Centers during routine visits.

“Teaching residents how to see the signs of an overdose and how to administer naloxone makes me proud to know that I have somebody here in the community to save life when I’m not there,” shared Community Health Worker Quawneisha Peoples. “My goal is to have Narcan in the hands of everyone in the community,” said Community Health Worker Patrice Shelton, “We have not come up with a way to keep opioids out of the community, but we do have a way to equip the community with naloxone.”

RHHD offers free virtual REVIVE! training each week via Zoom. REVIVE! is Virginia’s statewide opioid overdose and naloxone education program, which covers recognizing signs of an opioid overdose and how to respond using naloxone. Residents can register for a 40-minute training on Tuesdays from 6-7 PM or Thursdays from 1-2 PM using the following link: rhhd.gov/overdose-prevention and can indicate if they would like to become a trainer themselves. Those who are unable to attend a training but would like to be trained on and receive naloxone, can call or text (804) 592-8069 for more information. Residents can call ahead to arrange for free, contactless naloxone dispensing from RHHD Resource Centers from 10am to 1pm, Monday through Friday while supplies last: rhhd.gov/RC.

Naloxone, the generic name for Narcan, blocks or reverses the effects of opioids — including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness — when administered during an overdose. On March 29, 2023, the FDA approved the over-the-counter sale of Narcan in the U.S. Previously, Narcan and generic naloxone were only available with a prescription. Virginia’s Good Samaritan Overdose Law states that no one is subject to arrest or prosecution for drugs/paraphernalia if seeking emergency medical attention for themselves or others who are overdosing. Between January 1 and June 30, 2023, RHHD hosted 158 naloxone distribution events, dispensed 553 units of Naloxone, and trained 211 residents to administer this life-saving drug.

For more information about VDH and RHHD’s Opioid Response, please visit rhhd.gov/overdose-prevention or call (804) 592-8069.