Novant Health UVA Health System is responding to Coronavirus in our communities. Protect yourself and others. Learn more »

Coronavirus

Novant Health UVA Health System updates on COVID-19
Home > About us > Newsroom > Coronavirus

The currently approved vaccines require two doses given either 21 or 28 days apart, depending on the vaccine brand. Both doses must be the same brand of vaccine.

The current COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved by the FDA are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. mRNA vaccines teach your cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response inside your body, allowing your body to fight the COVID-19 virus.

Yes, you can still receive the vaccine if you have had COVID-19. You should wait until you have recovered from being sick and you are out of isolation.

We are coordinating closely with the state to ensure second doses when we have scheduled the first doses.

The studies that looked at the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines showed a similar ability to protect against the COVID-19 virus. As more vaccine becomes available, we may narrow it to a single vaccine. For now, we have both vaccines to make sure we have enough vaccines for our healthcare workers and eligible patients.

Yes. Even if you have had COVID-19, you are still at risk of getting the virus again and should get the vaccine.

We still don't know how long the COVID-19 vaccine will provide immunity. It's unclear whether a yearly booster shot will be needed.

We are asking Individuals to self-identify if they have chronic conditions. We want to make sure everyone at a higher risk of getting COVID-19 can access the vaccine, including those who do not have access to a healthcare provider and do not have documented chronic conditions.

At this time, vaccine availability will determine which vaccine a person will receive.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be at room temperature when given.

Yes, Novant Health UVA Health System has the right freezers to store both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines safely.

Jump to:
Welcome backVirtual careHospital restrictionsGivingCall firstResourcesVaccinesEn español

At Novant Health UVA Health System, we are prepared to care for you during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use the resources below to find the right services for you and get answers to many common questions. You have options for in-person visits and virtual care. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, please take our online assessment.

It’s time to get the care you need

Whether you need to be seen for a routine exam, critical testing and treatment, emergency care or any other health matter, our doors are open. And our providers are ready to deliver the safe, high-quality care you’ve come to trust from your community hospital.

Get care

Virtual care is available

Novant Health UVA Health System provides easy and convenient ways to connect with your provider through online services to receive minor diagnoses, prescriptions and professional advice from your care provider.

You can schedule a future video visit or fill out a comprehensive e-visit questionnaire by logging on to your MyChart account. If you are new to Novant Health UVA Health System, you can still create a MyChart account and receive virtual care from our providers.

Learn more

If you are a new patient and need help finding a provider, click here.

Hospital visitor restrictions

We are restricting visitation out of concern for the health and well-being of our patients and to help control the spread of respiratory illnesses such as the coronavirus. Check our newsroom for updates to our visitation policies.

Visit newsroom

Giving

Novant Health UVA Health System is grateful for the outpouring of support that our organization continues to receive from our communities. Your continued encouragement and numerous offers of goods and services have been very appreciated during our response to COVID-19.

For the safety of our team members and patients, please review our guidelines for donations.

Read more

Call your doctor before visiting

Call your doctor before going to the emergency room or a clinic to discuss check-in procedures, visitor restrictions and any symptoms you might be having.

Find your doctor

Resources

 

Prince William Health District COVID-19 Response Line

The Prince William County Medical Reserve Corp is staffing a call center with registered nurses and supporting staff to answer questions about the coronavirus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily: 703-872-7759.

 

Virginia Department of Health

The Virginia Department of Health has a public helpline for questions about the coronavirus: 1-877-ASK-VDH3 (1-877-275-8343). Community resource specialists are available to answer questions from the public in English or Spanish.

Helpful links

COVID-19 vaccine

Like other preventative measures, including hand hygiene, social distancing, and masking, vaccination is recommended to help you avoid getting COVID-19. By doing your part, you can help bring the pandemic to an end and get your community back to normal.

Vaccines for Novant Health UVA Health System patients

Novant Health UVA Health System is partnering closely with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to vaccinate the community. We are currently scheduling vaccinations for patients of Novant Health UVA Health System who are in Phase 1a and Phase 1b as defined by the state.

We are closely monitoring the rapidly changing recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and VDH, and we will update our vaccination program as more information becomes available to us. 

If you are a Novant Health UVA Health System patient seeking your first dose of the vaccine, please register through Virginia's Statewide Vaccine Pre-Registration System or call 877-275-8343 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to schedule.

Virginia's Statewide Vaccine Pre-Registration System 

The Commonwealth of Virginia launched a Statewide Vaccine Pre-Registration System to provide a unified and comprehensive process for people in Virginia to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-275-8343 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The Virginia Department of Health has directed all local health districts to close their pre-registration forms and surveys. All individuals who have previously filled out a survey or form or signed up for a waitlist to be vaccinated through their local health district have automatically imported into the new statewide system. Individuals will maintain their current status in the queue, and will be able to search that they are in the new system at vaccinate.virginia.gov.


Your vaccine questions answered

There is a lot of information to take in about COVID-19, and a new vaccine raises many questions. Our experts have the answers you’re looking for.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must verify that the vaccines are safe and can prevent COVID-19. The FDA can authorize the use of vaccine under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), which it has done for the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.

Before an EUA is granted, an independent committee reviews and verifies the data showing the vaccine is safe and effective. Next, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reviews the data and recommends who should be vaccinated based on clinical trial results.

At Novant Health UVA Health System, commitment to team member and patient safety will remain our priority. We will not administer a vaccine that is not safe. In the studies looking at the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, each vaccine had a side-effect profile similar to other vaccines, like the flu vaccine. It is recommended that if you have a severe (anaphylaxis) reaction to another vaccine or injectable medication that you do not get this vaccine without talking with your doctor first.

Until we have further information, we do not recommend being around high-risk, nonvaccinated individuals.

We are waiting on data from the EUA that may give more information on these types of issues. We recommend that immunocompromised patients consult with their primary care physician prior to getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the CDC, immunity to COVID-19 should begin one to two weeks after the second dose.

It is unknown at this time. The vaccine was not studied in pregnant women; however, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that COVID-19 vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who meet criteria for vaccination based on Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices-recommended priority groups. We recommend that pregnant women consult with their primary care physician prior to getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the CDC, community or herd immunity is a situation in which a large proportion of the population is immune through vaccination and/or prior illness, decreasing the chance of spreading the disease from person to person.

While we do not know the exact number, a good goal is to have 80% of the population immunized. The faster we can reach 80%, the closer we will be to "getting back to normal."

The Pfizer vaccine is approved for kids 16 years of age and older. The Moderna vaccine is approved for adults 18 years of age and older.

Some participants experienced common side effects in the vaccine trials, like a sore arm, warmth in the arm, malaise, fatigue or a low-grade fever. These side effects typically only lasted a few hours. Not everyone will experience these effects to the same degree.

It is unknown at this time if there are any long-term effects of the current vaccines. The FDA and vaccine manufacturers are continuing to watch the vaccines' long-term safety; this is a normal process for all new medications.

Yes. It is still important for everyone to continue to cover their mouth and nose with a mask, wash their hands often, and stay at least six feet away from others.

No. mRNA vaccines cannot cause COVID-19.

Novant Health UVA Health System actualiza sobre la preparación del nuevo Coronavirus

Aquí hay información disponible para ayudarle a mantenerse al día sobre el Coronavirus y a administrar la atención médica para su familia dentro del Sistema de Salud Novant Health UVA.

Coronavirus Assessment