October 18, 2019
For More Information, Contact
Larry Hill, public information officer, Eastern Region, Virginia Department of Health, 757-449-4287
[Norfolk, Va.] – This Saturday, October 19, health districts on the Southside and the Peninsula, will provide several free flu shot clinics. The purpose of this exercise is to simulate a mass vaccination event in which the health departments train to vaccinate efficiently during a time of emergency. The flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu. No ID is required. Vaccines supplies are limited so it is first come, first served. Please wear a short-sleeved shirt or sleeves that roll up for easy access to the upper arm.
Here are the listed dates, times and locations of each event:
- Norfolk Health District – Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3 years and older
Military Circle Mall, 880 N. Military Highway, Norfolk - Peninsula and Hampton Health Districts – Saturday, October 19, 9 a.m. to noon, 6 months and older
Hampton Health Department, 3130 Victoria Blvd., Hampton
Peninsula Health District, 416 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. in Newport News - Portsmouth Health Department – Saturday, October 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 3 years and older
Tidewater Community College, 120 Campus Drive, Portsmouth - Western Tidewater Health District – Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3 years and older
Isle of Wight Health Department, 919 S. Church St., Smithfield - Virginia Beach Health District – Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3 years and older
Newtown Elementary School, 5277 Learning Circle, Virginia Beach
The Virginia Department of Health encourages everyone to stay healthy and protect others by getting a seasonal flu vaccine. Also remember to always wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and stay home if you’re sick so you don’t spread the illness to others.
The timing of flu season is unpredictable. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is predicting a severe flu season this year. Last flu season was the longest in the past 10 years. Seasonal flu activity often begins increasing in October. We are already seeing some flu activity. It usually peaks between December and February, but can last as late as May. The CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine by the end of October. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body to protect against flu virus infection. Remember, children under 6 months old and some adults are unable to get vaccinated. By others getting vaccinated, it can help those unable to be vaccinated not get the flu
For more information on the clinics, contact your local health department. For more information on seasonal flu or the flu vaccine, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/influenza-flu-in-virginia/ or www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm.