October 3, 2022
Media Contact: Kathy Hatter, kathy.hatter@vdh.virginia.gov
Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Offers Free Flu Vaccinations
Walk-In Oct. 6 in Orange, or Drive-Through Oct. 13 in Brandy Station
(Warrenton, Va.)— Getting a flu vaccine is the single best way to protect against the flu, and is especially important while COVID-19 is still circulating in our community. The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District (RRHD) will conduct a public health emergency exercise offering free flu shots Thursday October 6 and Thursday October 13. October 6 is a walk-in event and October 13 is a drive-through event.
- Walk-In: Thursday, October 6, 2022 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Prospect Heights Middle School, 202 Dailey Drive, Orange
- Drive Through: Thursday, October 13, 2022 – 4:30 to 7 p.m., Brandy Station Fire Department, 19601 Church Road, Brandy Station
The event offers free quadrivalent flu vaccines (covers four types of flu) to residents aged 3 to 64. Vaccine supplies are limited and will be available on a first- come, first- served basis until the end of the event or until the supply of flu vaccine runs out. Please wear a mask and a short-sleeved shirt or sleeves that roll up for easy access to the upper arm.
The purpose of these exercises 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. Rappahannock-Rapidan Medical Reserve Corps volunteers will assist health department staff with this exercise. The vaccine is provided by the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Preparedness.
“This year it is especially important to get a flu shot,” said RRHD Director Dr. Trice Gravatte. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 will likely continue in our community into the fall and winter and may overlap with the flu season. With the possibility of both viruses being in our communities at the same time, it is vital that everyone age 6 months or older get their yearly flu shot.”
“Other prevention measures include practicing good hygiene by frequently washing your hands or using alcohol‐based sanitizers when water is unavailable, Dr. Gravatte added. Always cover your cough and sneezes, stay at home when you are sick, and limit your contact with others who are sick.”
The CDC estimates that each year over the last decade, influenza has caused 9 to 41 million illnesses, 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 to 52,000 deaths.
For more information about the flu, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/influenza-flu-in-virginia/ or www.flu.gov. For more information about the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/Rappahannock-Rapidan/.
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