Central Shenandoah Health District Practices Emergency Preparedness with Free Flu Vaccinations for the Public

October 8, 2019

For More Information, Contact

  • Laura Kornegay, M.D., director, Central Shenandoah Health District, 540-332-7830

 

[LEXINGTON, Va.] — On Wednesday, October 23 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. the Central Shenandoah Health District will hold a flu clinic at Rockbridge County High School, 143 Greenhouse Road in Lexington, offering free flu vaccine to everyone ages 10 and up. No ID is required. Vaccines supplies are limited; 350 doses will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Please wear a short-sleeved shirt or sleeves that roll up for easy access to the upper arm.

The purpose of this exercise is to simulate a mass vaccination event in which the health department and local agencies would work together so community members could be vaccinated efficiently during a time of emergency. An example would be a worldwide outbreak of influenza – also known as an influenza pandemic. This vaccine is provided by the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Preparedness. Virginia Medical Reserve Corps volunteers will assist with this drill.

The Central Shenandoah Health District encourages everyone to stay healthy and protect others by getting a seasonal flu vaccine. It’s the best way to prevent seasonal flu. Also remember to 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. Seasonal flu activity often begins increasing in October. It usually peaks between December and February, but can continue as late as May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend 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.

For more information on the clinic, contact Dr. Laura Kornegay, 540-332-7830. 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.