Health Department Offers Free Flu Vaccination Clinics in October

September 25, 2016

For More Information, Contact

  • Kathy Hatter, VDH: 540-718-1851

Clinics scheduled at Three Schools on Three Thursdays

(Culpeper, Va.)— Getting a flu vaccine is the single best way to protect against the flu. The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District will offer free flu shots at three locations this October. The free walk-in clinics will be held on the following Thursdays in October:

  • October 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Prospect Heights Middle, 202 Dailey Drive, Orange, VA
  • October 12, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Grace Miller Elementary, 6248 Catlett Road, Bealeton, VA
  • October 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Rappahannock County Elementary, 34 School House Rd, Washington, VA

A limited number of doses of vaccine will be available at each clinic, and will be offered to anyone 3 years and older on a first-come, first-served basis, until 7 p.m. or until the supply of flu vaccine runs out. In addition to offering a free service to the community, these clinics will serve as a training drill to test local capabilities for giving vaccines or medication in an emergency situation.

Influenza, or “the flu,” is a highly-contagious respiratory disease. Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.

This year’s seasonal flu vaccine will protect you against the four most expected flu strains.  It could keep you from losing valuable time from work, school, and could even save your life. These clinics offer a fast and efficient way to vaccinate a large number of people in a short time.

The vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of complications from the flu. These groups include:

  • Pregnant and postpartum women, or those who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
  • Persons over 65 years of age, including residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
  • People who have chronic lung or heart problems, including asthma; and
  • People who have other serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, anemia, cancer, weak immune systems (including those with HIV) or a seizure disorder.

Each year in the U.S. approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu illness, and flu-related deaths range from 3,000 to 49,000 each year, averaging 24,000 per year over the last three decades.

To minimize your risk of catching the flu and passing it on to others, follow these simple steps:

  • Get a flu shot each year;
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds;
  • Cover your cough by using a disposable tissue or coughing into your sleeve, not your hand; and
  • Stay home when you are sick.

For more information, call the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District at 540-829-7350 or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.