Central Shenandoah News

Augusta Health issued the following announcement on Sept. 15

Current Vaccination Dose Count at Augusta Health:

• Total doses given at Augusta Health Vaccination Clinics: 85,462
• Community member fully-vaccinated at AH Vaccination Clinics: 43,707
• Boosters for the immunocompromised 1,553

Current Situation

Over the 24 hours preceding 9 am on Sunday, September 12, there were 120 new positive COVID-19 cases diagnosed through Augusta Health testing sites. This is the highest daily positive total during the pandemic; the second highest daily total was 118 on August 29. We experience a higher level of testing on Saturdays. Over the 24 hours preceding 9 am on Wednesday, September 15, there were 91 new positive cases diagnosed though Augusta Health testing sites.

After holding steady in the 23% range for three weeks, Augusta Health's positivity rate jumped to 28.43% last week (the week of September 5-11). As a comparison, the monthly positivity rate in June was 5.7% and last January was 18.57%.

Our current inpatient COVID-19 census is 59. We anticipate that our local surge will continue through the end of September, and we will reach a census of more than 100 inpatient COVID-19 patients. Generally, about 20% of our COVID-19 patients are critical care/ICU level patients. Very sick, high acuity patients like COVID-19 patients require more resources—both technical and staff—to provide the care they need.

Help slow the spread and lower the projections: Please vaccinate, wear masks indoors even if vaccinated, wash hands frequently and stay socially distant from others when possible. COVID vaccinations are the still the most effective and lasting way to prevent COVID infections in our community, and the best defense against serious illness and death.

Vaccination Eligibility

Augusta Health is vaccinating everyone age 12 and older who lives, works or goes to school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for individuals age 18 and over. Pfizer vaccine is authorized for individuals age 12 and older; a parent or guardian must be present to consent to vaccination of those under the age of 18.

At this time, third-dose COVID-19 booster shots are available only to:

• Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (no proof of a medical condition is required at this time); and who
• Have already received two doses of either the Pfizer vaccine or the Moderna vaccine; and who
• Received their second dose of vaccine more than 28 days ago.

Booster shots for other individuals have been discussed for administration on or about September 20; however, this dosage has not yet been recommended by the FDA or approved the CDC. Until those recommendations and approvals are given, appointments cannot be scheduled.

Vaccinations in Primary Care Offices

Vaccinations for COVID-19 continue in all Augusta Medical Group primary care offices. Patients who prefer to receive a vaccination from their personal physician should contact their doctor's office to be scheduled into the next available vaccination appointment block.

Community-Based Clinics

Community organizations that would like to partner with Augusta Health for a Vaccination Clinic can contact VaccinationTaskForce@augustahealth.com for more information on the requirements.

Large on-campus Vaccination Clinics

Appointments are preferred for clinics. Walk-ins are welcome.

Go to vaccinate.augustahealth.com to view the links and schedule an appointment. Information about new clinics, the links and the criteria for each link, are posted as available. On-campus clinics for the remainder of this week are:

• Wednesday, September 15: After school/after work clinic hours for those are unable to come during the day. The clinic will run from 3:30 pm until 7 pm. Walk-ins welcome until 6 pm.

This is a dual Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson clinic. Anyone age 12 and older may receive Pfizer vaccine; Johnson & Johnson is a one-dose vaccine available to those age 18 and older and administered if available. The link is open on vaccinate.augustahealth.com

• Thursday, September 16: After school/after work clinic hours for those are unable to come during the day. The clinic will run from 3:30 pm until 7 pm. Walk-ins welcome until 6 pm.

This is a dual Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson clinic. Anyone age 12 and older may receive Pfizer vaccine; Johnson & Johnson is a one-dose vaccine available to those age 18 and older and administered if available. The link is open on vaccinate.augustahealth.com

• Friday, September 17: PFIZER/MODERNA THIRD-DOSE BOOSTER CLINIC. For moderately and severely immunocompromised ONLY. The clinic will run from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm.

It must be at least 28 days since the second dose of vaccine. Please bring Vaccination Record Card or record of previous vaccination. The link is open on vaccinate.augustahealth.com.

Vaccination Call Center

Not everyone has access to the internet. Those who need assistance to schedule should call Augusta Health's Vaccination Call Center at (540) 332-5122. The Call Center is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm to answer questions and help to schedule vaccination appointments.

Homebound patients are being vaccinated through a pilot program with Central Shenandoah EMS. Contact the Vaccination Call Center for more information.

Original source can be found here.