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Welcome to the Blue Ridge Health District’s (BRHD) new monthly newsletter! You are receiving this email because you were a subscriber in Constant Contact, our previous newsletter system. We are now using the GovDelivery platform and will send a BRHD newsletter on the first Friday of each month. We look forward to providing you with relevant public health information more efficiently!
To get started, here's an overview of the different content you can expect to receive every month:
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Health Whys: Started in 2010, these short & sweet public health publications are meant to introduce you to new information and provide refreshers about topics we’ve covered before.
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MAPP2Health Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Updates: Coming straight from our CHA/CHIP Program Officer, this routine section will bring you up to speed on our MAPP2Health progress and how you can get involved in improving our community’s health.
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Public Health News: From awareness months to available resources, our goal is to include timely and relevant information that helps you feel confident navigating your health.
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Dates to Remember: Each month will feature a list of our upcoming clinics and events, as well as other important dates to keep in mind (like holiday office closures).
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When is one vaccine not enough?
You need more than one vaccine when it is a “series” vaccine! Many childhood vaccines like DTaP, MMR, Varicella, and polio are part of a 2 to 5 shot series given over a period of time. Each dose in a series increases the chance that the response to the disease will be correct. Missing doses can affect how well the vaccine works and gives opportunity for infection between doses.
What should I do if my child has fallen behind on their vaccines?
Usually a vaccine series does not have to be re-started if your child has fallen behind. Your health care provider can give you a schedule for your child’s vaccinations to help them catch up. It may mean that they get their vaccines closer together until they catch up.
Is it safe to get multiple vaccines at the same time?
Yes! This has been studied by scientists for many years. No studies have shown that giving multiple vaccines at once is harmful. A child’s immune system comes into contact with many potential infections every day. They put things in their mouths, play with toys on the floor, and explore their environment in many ways. They can be exposed to many potential infections at once without any harm. Vaccines work in much the same way!
Where can I get more information?
For more information on vaccine series visit the CDC's website or check with your healthcare provider.
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To read previous publications, visit the BRHD Health Whys webpage.
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Order Free COVID-19 Test Kits
Did you know? Free at-home COVID-19 test kit ordering from the United States Postal Service (USPS) is back! Every residential household is again eligible to place one order per address. Each order includes four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
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We're excited to share that the 2024-2025 MAPP2Health Community Health Assessment is off to a great start! Thanks to the efforts of our Core Group — Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and UVA Health — and our many community networks and partners, we’ve already received 500 responses to the Community Health Survey. If you haven’t participated yet, there’s still plenty of time. The survey is open until January 2025 and available in nine languages, so everyone can make their voice heard!
We’re also thrilled that 540 people have shown interest in our focus groups. We're working hard to schedule these sessions, so if you’ve signed up, please hang tight while we group participants and confirm times that work for everyone.
Lastly, we still need more community partners to complete the Stakeholder Survey. Your input is essential to ensure we capture the insights of organizations, coalitions, agencies, and community leaders across the District.
All of the surveys and focus groups will help us better understand what residents District-wide need to live their healthiest lives — and how we can support them in making it happen. Thank you for being part of this important effort, and we can’t wait to hear more from you! Questions about the 2024-2025 MAPP2Health? Contact the BRHD CHA/CHIP Program Officer at BlueRidgeHD@vdh.virginia.gov.
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Monday, October 7 from 5 to 7 PM - Free Flu Vaccine Clinic at Fluvanna County High School (1918 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy., Palmyra, VA)
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Free flu shots for ages 3 and older. Walk-in only, no appointments. First come, first served until supply runs out. Minors must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. Call 434-591-1960 for questions.
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Tuesday, October 8 - BRHD Offices Closed for Staff Training
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Wednesday, October 9 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM - Free Flu Vaccine Clinic at Nathanael Greene Primary School (64 Monroe Dr., Stanardsville, VA)
- Free flu shots for ages 3 and older. Walk-in only, no appointments. First come, first served until supply runs out. Minors must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. Call 434-985-2262 for questions.
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Thursday, October 10 from 5 to 7 PM - Free Flu Vaccine Clinic at Northside Library (705 Rio Rd. W, Charlottesville, VA)
- Free flu shots for ages 3 and older. Walk-in only, no appointments. First come, first served until supply runs out. Minors must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. Call 434-972-6269 for questions.
- Monday, October 14 - BRHD Offices Closed for Columbus Day and Yorktown Victory Day
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Tuesday, October 15 from 4:30 to 6 PM - Test & Go STI Testing Event at Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Dr., Charlottesville, VA)
- Monthly free STI testing event. Walk-in only, no appointments. First come, first served until supplies run out. No insurance needed. Call 434-972-6269 for questions.
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Wednesday, October 16 from 3 to 4 PM - Free Rapid REVIVE! Naloxone trainings at Louisa County Health Department (101 Woolfolk Ave. Suite 202, Louisa, VA) and Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Dr., Charlottesville VA)
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Free REVIVE! trainings and dispensing of Naloxone nasal spray used to treat suspected opioid overdoses. All are welcome. Call 804-339-8060 for questions.
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Wednesday, October 16 from 5 to 7 PM - Free Flu Vaccine Clinic at Charlottesville High School (1400 Melbourne Rd., Charlottesville, VA)
- Free flu shots for ages 3 and older. Walk-in only, no appointments. First come, first served until supply runs out. Minors must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. Call 434-972-6269 for questions.
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Monday, October 28 from 8:30 to 11 AM - COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines Clinic at Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Dr., Charlottesville VA)
- 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines for ages 12+ and Flu vaccines for ages 2+ (including high dose flu vaccines) will be available on a first come, first served basis. Limited vaccines available. Bring insurance information if you have insurance. Minors must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
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Monday, November 4 from 8:30 to 11 AM - COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines Clinic at Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Dr., Charlottesville VA)
- 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines for ages 12+ and Flu vaccines for ages 2+ (including high dose flu vaccines) will be available on a first come, first served basis. Limited vaccines available. Bring insurance information if you have insurance. Minors must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
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