Tag: cynthia morrow

Drive Thru to Fight the Flu!

September 23, 2024
Media Contact: Christie Wills, Communications Officer, Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD), christie.wills@vdh.virginia.gov

Drive Thru to Fight the Flu!

ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts will offer free seasonal flu vaccinations at a special drive-thru clinic on Wednesday, September 25 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Berglund Center in Roanoke.

Drive-Thru to Fight the Flu – Roll in, Roll up, and Roll OUT!

Wednesday, September 25, 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Berglund Center, 710 Williamson Rd, Roanoke

Vaccinations will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to those ages 6 months and older. Walk-ins welcome, while supplies last. No advance registration is required. The vaccine will be given as individuals remain seated in their vehicles. Since the flu shot is given in the upper arm, please wear clothing that either has loose-fitting sleeves or is sleeveless.

Caused by the influenza virus, “the flu” is a highly contagious infection that spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. While flu vaccination is recommended as long as influenza viruses are circulating, September and October remain the best times for most people to get vaccinated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu vaccinations prevent millions of influenza illnesses each year, and tens of thousands of influenza-associated hospitalizations. Flu-related deaths range from 12,000 to 56,000 each year, averaging 34,000 per year over the last three decades.

“Our top recommendation for protecting yourself and your loved ones from respiratory illness is to get vaccinated,” said RCAHD Health Director Cynthia Morrow, M.D., M.P.H. “Make a plan now for you and your family to get updated respiratory vaccines this fall, before the respiratory virus season is in full swing.”

Media Availability:

Media are invited to schedule advance on-site interviews at the Berglund Center ahead of the event (RSVP required).

WHEN: Tuesday early afternoon, September 24, by appointment

WHERE: Berglund Center Parking Lot

To RSVP: Email christie.wills@vdh.virginia.gov no later than 10am on Tuesday, 9/24 to schedule an advance on-site interview early Tuesday afternoon.

Coming to a Community Near You: New RV Delivers Health Services to RCAHD Residents

(ROANOKE, Va.) – To better serve its 277,000 residents in both rural and urban communities, the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) is deploying a new recreational vehicle (RV). Through the utilization of federal COVID-19 relief funding, the purchase of the mobile unit is intended to improve RCAHD residents’ access to health information and services.

Called “DASH” (Delivering Accessible and Sustainable Health), the RV is equipped with a generator and restroom facilities to allow public health staff to better deliver mobile education, clinic and outreach services throughout the community.

According to RCAHD Health Director Cynthia Morrow, MD, MPH, “We are so pleased to have another tool in the RCAHD toolbox to deliver public health services to our residents. The urgency of the COVID-19 health crisis made the need for additional mobile outreach a priority.”

 

MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
An opportunity for media outlets to view a DASH clinic in operation will be held on Thursday, October 13:

DATE: Thursday, October 13

PLACE: Salem Farmers Market, 3 E. Main St, Salem

TIME: Special media availability from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.