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Updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are arriving in Henrico County and the Metro Richmond Region beginning Monday in some spots, following their Sept. 12 approval by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Everyone aged 6 months and older is eligible to receive a 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, which will be available at pharmacies and physicians’ offices, as well as federally qualified health centers, free clinics, and local health department offices. Henricoans should speak with their healthcare providers about receiving the vaccine.
The new COVID-19 vaccines are designed to target the Omicron variant XBB.1.5. Studies have shown that these vaccines can also protect against severe outcomes from other Omicron variants, such as BA.2.86 and EG.5.
People 65 years and older and people with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness, hospitalization and death associated with COVID-19.
According to CDC, most Americans still will receive a COVID-19 vaccine with no out-of-pocket cost, since insurance companies are required to pay for them. People who are uninsured or underinsured can access free COVID-19 vaccines through two federal programs, the Bridge Access Program for adults and the Vaccines for Children program. The vaccines will be available to eligible people at local health departments and participating pharmacies and healthcare providers. To find vaccine locations participating in the Bridge Access Program, visit Vaccines.gov. To find a Vaccine for Children program provider, visit vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/vvfc.
Though there’s been an apparent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Virginia in recent weeks, the overall numbers still are low: only about 2% of people admitted to emergency rooms in the state tested positive for the virus. VDH COVID-19 dashboards allow Virginians to stay updated of the current state of COVID-19 trends in their community; the dashboards are available on the VDH website.
For details about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the Vaccinate Virginia website or contact the VDH Call Center. Call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, and more than 100 other languages.
