Health leaders say they go into schools on a regular basis to offer flu vaccines and find most parents want to be present when their child is vaccinated.

NEW RIVER VALLEY, Va. – New River Valley Health District Director Dr. Noelle Bissell said the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine could be a better fit for some people, especially vulnerable populations. Half of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines will go to pharmacies and partners for the 65+ population. The other half is for frontline essential workers in Phase 1b and those in Phase 1a, as well as high-priority individuals in Phase 1b who waited specifically for the one-dose vaccine. “We offer the Johnson & Johnson out. The NRV Public Health Task Force is planning a large vaccination event on Monday, March 8, to distribute a big chunk of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

RADFORD, Va. – The Dedmon Center is the home of Radford University basketball, but it hosted a more important series of shots on Saturday. The New River Valley Health District and Radford University joined forces on a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the arena. “Let’s just keep celebrating the vaccines as they go into arms, as they complete the series, as they get people vaccinated,” said New River Valley health director Dr. Noelle Bissell. They feel like there is an end to this.”Bissell said about 2,500 people in the New River Valley were eligible for the clinic. She now reports 12,000 people in the New River Valley have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va.- - Before you pick up that electronic device, you may want to think twice. "It may be safer, but safer isn't safe," said Bissell. According to Noelle Bissell, with the New River Valley Health District, there's a big public health investigation underway led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 'We do have one here in Southwest Virginia that went on a developed respiratory failure and was on the ventilator for several days. Bissell said with the lack of regulation in the vaping industry, it's best to avoid it all together.