November 15, 2020
Media Contact: Ross Catrow – 804-921-2367, ross.catrow@vdh.virginia.gov
FLU VACCINES ARE CRITICAL DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
RICHMOND, VA – Richmond City Health District (RCHD) holds drive-up flu vaccination events open to the public. Dates and times are listed below, but residents are encouraged to visit our website (www.rchd.com) for the most up-to-date information.
- November 18, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School (1000 Mosby Street, Richmond, VA), 1 – 4 p.m.
- December 2, Huguenot High School (7945 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, VA), 1 – 4 p.m.
Flu vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent the spread of flu. The flu vaccine is 40%-60% effective and lessens flu symptoms if the flu is contracted. It does not cause people to get the virus. Most people do not experience side effects from the vaccine, and when they do, side effects tend to be mild.
Karen Carle, R.N., a public health nurse at RCHD, reminds us that it is particularly important to get the flu vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. “There’s about 30,000-40,000 deaths every year from the flu and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations,” explains Carle. “We need hospital beds and other resources available to treat patients with COVID-19.”
Everyone age six months and older is recommended to get a flu vaccine. More information about flu vaccination events can be found on RCHD’s website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/richmond-city/immunization-program/
About Richmond City Health District: RCHD is the public health agency serving Richmond’s communities. Our mission is to expose and address the root causes of health disparities, protect health by preventing the spread of disease, and build health equity by partnering with communities and working collaboratively across sectors.