Health Department

LATEST NEWS

MASS COVID-19 VACCINATION SITE RETURNS TO RICHMOND RACEWAY

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.

RHHD TO BEGIN ADMINISTERING PFIZER COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021-  CDC and FDA recently announced that some individuals who received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine now qualify for booster shots based on their age, medical condition, or employment or residential setting. Following these new guidelines, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) will open booster appointments starting today. Qualified individuals can make an appointment anytime after six months following the date of their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

“We welcome individuals seeking boosters to make an appointment at one of our clinics,” explains Joanna Cirillo, Public Health Nurse Supervisor at RHHD. “We will also continue to ensure there are more than enough opportunities for individuals who haven’t received their first series to walk up to all our clinics… individuals who are not yet vaccinated are very vulnerable to severe COVID-19 outcomes.”

Booster-eligible individuals include those who received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago and fall into one of the following categories:

• Individuals 65 years or older
• Individuals 18 years or older living in a long-term care setting
• Individuals aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk for severe COVID-19
• Individuals aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk for severe COVID-19 based on their individual benefits and risks
• Individuals aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting based on their individual benefits and risks

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. If a person has questions about whether or not a booster is right for them based on their individual circumstances, they should consult their healthcare provider.

RHHD offers boosters by appointment only, but other providers such as pharmacies may take walk-ins. Individuals seeking boosters who walk up to an RHHD event without an appointment will be scheduled for an appointment, but same-day appointments are not guaranteed. RHHD requests individuals getting a booster shot bring their vaccination card; no other documentation to prove eligibility will be required.

To find a booster shot, visit vax.rchd.com or call 804-205-3501.

RHHD EXPANDS COMMUNITY HUBS TO INCLUDE COVID-19 TESTING

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.

Dr. Winn: The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, and Vaccine Equity and Access 

NOTICES

Report Face Covering Violations

To report violations of face-covering and social distancing executive orders, click the link below:

Employers Must Report Positive Cases to VDH

The new COVID-19 standard adopted by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) requires all employers to report positive cases of COVID-19 to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The Emergency Temporary Standard also provides that “The employer shall notify the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry within 24 hours of the discovery of three (3) or more employees present at the place of employment within a 14-day period testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus during that 14-day time period.”

All COVID-19 case reports must be filed through the online reporting portal link below:

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