Dr. Steve Bunn

01/03/2026

Flu is on the rise. Follow the facts and get vaccinated today!
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/respiratory-diseases-in-virginia/data/

09/12/2025

Flu and COVID vaccines:

Flu vaccine, ideal window: September through October is the best time for most people in the U.S. to get vaccinated.

September 12 updated, COVID vaccine now available.

The Virginia Department of Health this week issued guidance that should make it easier for residents to receive the shot.

07/13/2025

Va**ng, not so safe.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/well/va**ng-health-risks.html

"When vapes started to become popular in the mid-2010s, the tiny cartridges carried big promises. They were presented as a healthier alternative to ci******es and a path to quit smoking.

Now, researchers are coming to understand the hazards of vapes themselves. In a study from last month, for example, a team of scientists analyzed the mist from popular vapes and found such high levels of heavy metals that one researcher thought their machine had malfunctioned. Other studies have suggested that va**ng can affect the heart, lungs and brain."

A new study that found high levels of heavy metals in popular ni****ne vapes adds to concerns about the products.

02/16/2025

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The annual observance of children’s dental health began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio on February 3, 1941. During that year, February 3-7 was designated as Children’s Dental Health Week in Akron, Ohio. The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children’s Dental Health Day on February 8, 1949. This single day observance became a week-long event in 1955. In 1981, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month. 2025 slogan, ‘Brushing Fights Cavities’. Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. NCDHM messages and materials have reached millions of people in communities across the country. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

04/26/2022

The DEA’s 20th National Drug Take-Back Day is this Saturday, April 30, 2022. This is a safe, responsible way to rid home medicine cabinets of unused prescription drugs and prevent diversion for misuse or illicit use.

Please visit dea.gov/takebackday to find the nearest US Drug Enforcement Agency Drug Take-Back Day site nearest you. Please share this link to ensure as many individuals and families as possible are aware of this free, anonymous, “no questions asked” opportunity to dispose of prescription drugs.

According to the federal government, for the first time in US history, annual overdose deaths reached 100,000 last year, marking a 28.5 percent increase from 2020 to 2021. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reports fatal fentanyl and/or he**in overdoses increased 58.6 percent from 2019 to 2020, with 2021 numbers predicted to be even higher. If this trend continues, the Commonwealth stands to lose over 2,600 residents from overdose deaths annually. Prescription opioids and other controlled medications are often found in conjunction with fentanyl overdose cases.

12/28/2021

Time to look ahead, feel renewed, start again, make plans. Yes, it’s just another day, but the beauty of the new year is that it really does offer an opportunity to begin another new chapter, to try on a new perspective. Thank you to all my patients, for the connections we’ve made and relationships we’ve developed. Happy New Year to you and your families.

08/14/2021

Access your vaccination record online and save it!

With more than 4.5 million people fully vaccinated in Virginia, there’s now a way for residents to access their COVID-19 vaccine record online.

06/08/2021

We're not out of the woods with the COVID-19 pandemic yet, but the more people are vaccinated the safer everyone becomes.

To find a free provider close to you text zip code to GETVAX (438829), from the VA Department of Health.

Free transportation for local residents 60-plus by the New River Valley Agency on Aging: 8 am - 4:30 pm, call (540) 980-7720.

02/17/2021

Virginia launched the statewide COVID-19 vaccine registration website on Tuesday, https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/. The new site centralizes the vaccine distribution effort to help speed up vaccinations and save lives.

Registration does not sign you up for the vaccination, but puts you in contact with your local health department for pre-registration to receive the vaccination. You decide how you would like to be contacted. People who have already signed up to be vaccinated will automatically be transferred to the new site.

IMPORTANT NOTES

* you need to get your second dose at the same location you received your first dose, and if you cannot please contact your local health department for arrangements
* you need to receive the same vaccine for your second dose
* CVS will be providing vaccinations and their registration system does not coordinate with the Virginia registration website

02/01/2021

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and although officially designated for children this is a great time of the year to start towards dental health for every age. February is even National Pet Dental Health Month.

An annual observance of children’s dental health began in 1941, and 1981 it became the month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.
https://www.drbunn.com/faq/national-childrens-dental-health-month

Each week this month I'll feature a tip for your dental health, today's recommendation is Dry Brushing.
https://www.drbunn.com/faq/dry-brushing

12/17/2020

COVID-19 vaccine: when it's available to me I WILL take it to protect me AND you. Vaccinations will ultimately change the country's grim trajectory, but not for a few months, experts have said. Until then, people should wear masks, avoid crowded indoor spaces and try to protect each other during this holiday season.

VA VACCINE RESPONSE
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/
The first shipment of vaccines require ultracold storage (negative 70 degrees Celsius). All 72,150 initial doses will be distributed directly to geographically diverse health care systems with ultracold storage capacity, and will go to HCP. Health care personnel that directly care for COVID-19 patients will receive top priority among health care providers.

Virginia’s Unified Command, which oversees the Commonwealth's response to COVID-19, has established a Vaccine Unit to coordinate COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Information about the COVID-19 vaccination program is changing frequently. Please check this site often for updates.

VA COVID-19 VACCINATION PRIORITIZATION GUIDANCE
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/6/2020/12/Revised-Vaccine-Allocation-Prioritization-12.4.2020.pdf
This guidance document was developed to plan for a COVID-19 vaccine distribution for the Commonwealth.

IMPORTANCE OF FLU VACCINE
Getting a flu vaccine is especially important during the pandemic because it will lessen the burden on hospital systems by reducing illness attributed to influenza through vaccination.

VACCINE CONFIDENCE PROJECT
https://www.vaccineconfidence.org/
Vaccine confidence concerns the belief that vaccination – and by extension the providers and range of private sector and political entities behind it – serves the best health interests of the public and its constituents.

TEAM HALO - HELPING END THE PANDEMIC
https://teamhalo.org/
Follow these scientists working to get us safe and effective Covid vaccines. Ask them anything.

TIKTOK, DR. ANNA BLAKNEY
Scientist working on a COVID vaccine, facts & kindness on TikTok.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJqBM8c6/

MISINFORMATION REMOVAL
Twitter will start removing false or misleading tweets about coronavirus vaccines.
https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/election-2020-misinformation/h_1e2752414e9f460e86ef98c2578a0e03

08/29/2020

Download Virginia’s free COVIDWISE Exposure Notifications app to help protect your community while protecting your privacy.

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covidwise/