Doctors are urging everyone to get their RSV vaccinations.

The FDA is recommending to change next year’s flu shot.

With the new year came a high number of cases of respiratory illnesses. According to the CDC, in the week ending on Dec. 30, there were more than 1,000 new hospitalizations due to COVID-19.

Local health professionals are preparing for an intense flu season.

Dr. Noelle Bissell of the New River Valley Health District said Monday that while we're not seeing a spike in colleges and universities, it made sense to encourage mandating the COVID-19 vaccines in high-risk populations of spreading.

With more than 15,000 public comments, the agency decided not to act on the petition.

Nearly 100 people rallied outside BWX Technologies headquarters Wednesday.

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.

On Wednesday, the White House Administration announced its plan to rollout COVID-19 vaccines if and when they’re authorized for children ages 5-11. The move was met with mixed reactions from parents.

President Joe Biden delivered remarks on his administration’s work toward tackling the coronavirus pandemic by increasing vaccinations on a national and global scale Tuesday afternoon.

Temporary side effects after COVID-19 vaccines are normal and a sign your immune system is revving up.

It's not yet known if COVID-19 vaccines can affect your period, but researchers are starting to study the issue.

Half of adults in Virginia have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, according to Governor Ralph Northam. And now anyone over age 16 is eligible.

Lynchburg and its surrounding counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell are now in Phase Two -- meaning anyone over the age of 16 is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccines.

Bedford County leaders teamed up to vaccinate 1,200 residents this week.

ROANOKE, Va. – More COVID-19 vaccines could be available in the Roanoke Valley as early as next week. Thursday, the Virginia Department of Health took some time to thank a few unsung heroes responsible for making the vaccination process a smooth one. Dr. Cynthia Morrow, Director of the Roanoke City & Allegheny Health District, said her team is indebted to the Virginia National Guard. “We couldn’t do what we’re doing in our community without the National Guard and our partners,” expressed Morrow. AdSince late December, the Roanoke City & Allegheny Health District has worked with vaccination partners to provide over 118,000 doses of vaccine (including second doses) to local residents.

First- and second-graders line up for Salk Polio vaccine shots on April 23, 1955. Regardless of where anyone stands on the matter, we know that vaccinations have been protecting us from diseases for decades. In 1921, the United States recorded 206,000 cases, which resulted in 15,520 deaths, according to the History of Vaccines website. According to the CDC, polio was once one of the most feared diseases in the U.S. Since 1979, there have been no polio cases that originated in the U.S.

SAN ANTONIO – They’re being called “vaccine angels.”All over the country, volunteers are spending hours trying to get seniors and the disabled registered for the COVID-19 vaccine. A makeshift team of angels in San Antonio is advocating for the most vulnerable people in our community. When vaccines became available, Dalila Chapman and her three friends Grace Rea, Linda Compia, and Diana Pulido helped their older family members get registered. “We started talking about other people who may not have family members who could get them registered,” Chapman said. AdThey stay on the phone and online for hours, re-dialing and clicking refresh until they get through.

When will children be able to get COVID-19 vaccines? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)NEW YORK – When will children be able to get COVID-19 vaccines? Pfizer and Moderna expect to start studies in children 11 and younger later this year. Read previous Viral Questions:How would COVID-19 vaccine makers adapt to variants? AdHow do we know the COVID-19 vaccines are safe?

The sisters of Spanish King Felipe VI have acknowledged on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, that they were administered COVID-19 vaccines during a visit to the United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza, File)MADRID – Two untimely coronavirus jabs have dealt another blow to the reputation of Spain's royals. The vaccination by the king’s sisters was widely criticized across Spain. The sisters of Spain’s King Felipe VI are no longer part of the official royal household, which said that the 53-year-old Felipe, Queen Letizia and their two daughters have not yet been vaccinated. Health Minister Carolina Darias, from the senior, Socialist partner of the governing coalition, made a distinction between Felipe and his sisters.

Despite the weather and delays, a second-dose clinic hosted by the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health District saw 98% participation. “The federal government is trying to accelerate shipment,” commented Virginia vaccine coordinator Dr. Danny Avula. “The particular variant that popped up in Southwest Virginia [Thursday] is clearly associated with international travel,” said Dr. Avula. Other good news, Walgreens will start sending doses of the coronavirus vaccine to Virginia locations next week, the pharmacy chain said Friday. Beginning Thursday, Feb. 25, it will receive 480,000 vaccine doses per week from the federal government, officials said in a news release.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The City of Lynchburg announced Friday plans for a regional vaccination center. City and health leaders have an agreement with Liberty University, which owns Candler’s Station shopping center, to convert the old TJ Maxx. But there’s no date set for when the site will open. Dr. Keith Anderson, LU’s health and wellness director, said that’s because the health district doesn’t have enough vaccines yet. Wodicka said city and health officials are asking for patience.

VIRGINIA – Virginia’s getting more shots in arms thanks to a new federal partnership between the CDC and pharmacies across the country. CVS plans to distribute 26,000 COVID-19 vaccines in the Commonwealth starting next week. “They’re critical to expanding our capabilities,” said New River Valley Health District Director Dr. Noelle Bissell. But a CVS spokesperson said the company doesn’t have a list of exact stores getting vaccines. Starting Feb. 9, people can start making appointments either online, on the CVS Pharmacy App or by calling CVS customer service at 1-800-746-7287.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Centra Health is working to get more shots in arms. You can get the vaccine if you’re a frontline worker, someone over the age of 65, or qualify in the phase ‘1a’ or ‘1b’ categories. “Our hospital sites do continue to administer vaccine to those healthcare personnel who fell into phase 1A. And our Centra medical group started vaccinating as of last Friday,” said Dr. Michael Elliott. We’re told COVID-19 related deaths are still up, but they’re happening at a slower pace.

Can COVID-19 vaccines be mixed and matched? The COVID-19 vaccines rolling out in the United States, the United Kingdom and other parts of the world so far require two shots given a few weeks apart. In the U.S. where Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are being distributed, health officials say the vaccines are not interchangeable. But without any studies, vaccine doses should not be mixed, said Naor Bar-Zeev, a vaccine expert at Johns Hopkins University. Read previous Viral Questions:Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I’ve had the virus?

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Vaccination appointments can now be scheduled at Centra Health medical offices. Officials say you must fit into the ‘1a’ and ‘1b’ categories and have an established relationship with a Centra primary care provider. Likely the first doses will go in arms, within our Centra medical group offices, on Friday of this week,” said Michael Elliott, Centra’s senior vice president and chief transformation Officer. Centra also released its latest numbers on hospitalizations and COVID-related deaths. To put it into perspective, that total was 183 as of Jan 7.

Dr. Patrick Jackson, professor of UVA Medical Center’s infectious diseases and international health division, said he feels encouraged by Pfizer’s announcement Monday that their vaccine may be 90% effective -- but it’s still too soon to tell. “It’s very exciting stuff, and I think it points the way towards a way out of the pandemic," said Jackson. “They were only looking at less than 100 cases of COVID-19 to make that estimate of 90% effectiveness. The body produces the protein, then produces the antibodies. So, this is really powerful technology,” Jackson added.