October 23, 2018
For More Information, Contact
VDH-Northern Region Public Information Officer Lorrie Andrew-Spear – 703-530-2627
Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Skyline High School
(Winchester, Va.) — Election Day and cooler weather are signs that fall is here! Can flu season be far behind? The Lord Fairfax Health District is offering free flu shots at an upcoming flu clinic as a way to deal with flu season. Getting a flu shot every year is the single best way to prevent the flu. This Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. you can get a free flu shot as part of an emergency preparedness exercise at Skyline High School, 151 Skyline Vista Drive, in Front Royal.
The flu vaccine is offered free of charge to all persons 6 months and older until the clinic closes or all 400 doses are given, whichever comes first. No appointment is needed and the goal is to deliver each free flu shot in less than 10 minutes! The vaccination area will be near the Skyline High School polling location. The 400 doses of vaccine are donated by the Virginia Department of Health through the Lord Fairfax Health District as part of annual testing of health department emergency preparedness procedures.
“It’s important to get the flu shot every year,” says Lord Fairfax Health District Director Dr. Colin Greene. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza was responsible for the deaths of 80,000 Americans last season. Flu viruses are constantly changing, so each year’s flu vaccine is designed to keep up with the changing viruses. Also, the body’s immune response from vaccination can decline over time, so an annual flu shot is essential to protect your health and the health of those around you.”
Generally, everyone aged 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. It’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications. Babies under 6 months of age are too young to get vaccinated, so it’s vital to immunize those who come in contact with the very young.
Flu season typically runs from the fall through the winter or early spring. Influenza activity in Virginia is presently at low levels, so now is a great time to get your flu shot. Immunity to the influenza virus develops about two weeks after vaccination. During the fall and winter holiday seasons influenza can spread at family gatherings, special events and at crowded places – such as shopping malls.
Prevention
In addition to getting your flu shot, here are some additional steps to prevent flu and other illnesses:
- Stay home when you are sick. Keep your distance to protect others from getting sick, too. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands. If you’re well, try to avoid contact with those who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue and throw it away immediately. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze snugly into the crook of your elbow to prevent germs from spreading through the air. The commonly seen practice of holding a fist in front of a cough does no good, and actually leaves germs on the person’s hand to spread by touching.
- Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Soap and water are best, but if they are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs on surfaces can be picked up and spread when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth. It helps to clean and disinfect surfaces at home, school and work – especially if someone is sick.
- Support your general health. Reduce stress, get enough sleep, exercise, eat nutritious foods, and drink plenty of fluids. A healthy body is better able to resist illness.
Additional information on flu is available from VDH at www.misstheflu.com.
The Lord Fairfax Health District serves residents in the city of Winchester and Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren counties. For more information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/lord-fairfax/.