Tag: flu vaccine

RHHD Encourages the ‘Little Things’ to Protect Against Respiratory Illnesses This Fall

RICHMOND, Va. – You can protect yourself and your family this fall from respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by doing some simple little things. Richmond and Henrico Health Districts share three little things for a healthy fall: washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes, and getting immunized.

“Immunization is the most effective way to prevent serious infections from flu, COVID-19, and RSV,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “It’s also important to remember basic public health prevention measures such as hand washing and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze to reduce the chances of spreading all respiratory viruses.”

Washing Hands

Washing hands takes a mere 20-30 seconds but can be key to keeping you healthy and preventing respiratory diseases. Germs can spread by touching surfaces and other people. Be sure to wash your hands:

  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Before and after preparing food or eating.
  • Before and after caring for someone else who is sick.
  • After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands.

Covering Your Cough

Respiratory viruses can spread through droplets that are released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. To limit the spread of respiratory viruses, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Put your used tissue in the waste basket.

If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your upper sleeve or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.

Getting Immunized

Everyone aged six months and older should get a flu vaccine every year, with a few exceptions. Talk to a healthcare provider about which flu vaccines are recommended for you and your family.

People aged six months and older should receive the COVID-19 vaccine based on individual-based decision-making with a healthcare provider.

All adults aged 75 years and older are recommended to receive a single dose of one RSV vaccine. If you are 60-74 years old with a health condition, speak with your healthcare provider to decide if the RSV vaccine is the right choice for you. Pregnant women and parents of newborns should also talk with their provider about the benefits of RSV immunization.

If you are sick, stay home to prevent additional spread of respiratory virus.

For more information about how to stay healthy during respiratory illness season and all year round, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/respiratory-diseases-in-virginia/ or visit rhhd.gov. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.

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New River Health District Offers Free Seasonal Flu Vaccine Drive-Thru Clinic

October 2, 2024
Media Contact: Beverly Hill, beverly.hill@vdh.virginia.gov

New River Health District Offers Free Seasonal Flu Vaccine Drive-Thru Clinic

FAIRLAWN, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health’s New River Health District will offer free seasonal flu vaccine at a special drive-thru dispensing clinic in the community.  The vaccine will be available free to anyone 3 years and older on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The drive-thru clinic is scheduled to be held Friday, October 4, at Fairlawn Church of God located at 7858 Peppers Ferry Blvd. in Radford from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wearing short sleeves or clothing that is loose around the arm will enable the public health nurse to easily give the flu shot in the upper arm and keeping you in the comfort and convenience of your car.

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is a serious disease caused by the influenza virus that affects the respiratory tract. It is highly contagious and generally spreads from person-to-person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can be transmitted even before flu-like symptoms appear. A person usually becomes sick one to three days following exposure to the virus. Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. “Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza and its potentially severe complications,” said New River Health District Director Noelle Bissell, M.D. “This ‘drive-thru’ approach is proven to be a fast, efficient, and comfortable way to receive a vaccination. Most often, clients can be in and out in under eight minutes.”

Each year in the U.S. approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu illness. Deaths are attributed to flu range from 12,000 to 56,000 annually with an average of 34,000 per year for the last three decades.

It is important for those at higher risk for influenza complications to be vaccinated each year. These higher risk groups include:

  • Pregnant and postpartum women, or those who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
  • Persons 65 and older, including residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
  • People who have chronic lung or heart problems, including asthma; and
  • People who have other serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, anemia, cancer, weak immune systems (including those with HIV) or a seizure disorder.

While it takes up to two weeks to develop the vaccine’s full protection, everyone can take steps to minimize the risk of contracting or transmitting the flu by following these simple steps:

  • Get vaccinated.
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough.
  • Stay at home when you are sick.

For more information, call the New River Health District at 540-585-3300 or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/flu/.

Crater Health District and Dinwiddie County to Host Open House and Health Fair Event

September 17, 2024
Media Contact: Tara Rose, Tara.Rose@vdh.virginia.gov

Crater Health District and Dinwiddie County to Host Open House and Health Fair Event

DINWIDDIE, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health’s Crater Health District (CHD) and Dinwiddie Parks and Recreation Department partnered to present the Ragsdale Community Center Open House & Health Fair. The event will be held on Saturday, September 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ragsdale Community Center, located at 20916 Old School Road in McKenney.

CHD encourages the community to visit the open house to connect with community resources and take advantage of on-site health screenings and vaccinations.  The event will feature glucose screenings, flu vaccines, and blood pressure checks provided by Central Virginia Health Services and CHD.

“Our CHD staff and Dinwiddie community partners look forward to providing important health services and information promoting healthy living,” said Crater District Health Director Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH. “We invite everyone from Dinwiddie County to visit the newest facility and join us at this community event featuring entertainment and valuable resources.”

Dinwiddie Public Schools Transportation has partnered to provide transportation for the event. The buses will be picking up community members from two locations: Southside Elementary School located at 10305 Boydton Plank Road in Dinwiddie and Dinwiddie High School located at 11501 Boisseau Road in Dinwiddie. Pick-up begins at 10 a.m. with the bus leaving promptly at 10:30 a.m. The buses will arrive at the schools for drop off at 2 p.m. To pre-register, people can visit: redcap.link/r42zn3md .

“We are excited to rebrand our newest Recreation Building, Ragsdale Community Center, by having an open house. We are especially happy to partner with VDH-Crater Health District on this event. We want this to be a big showing for citizens to see Ragsdale’s amenities, our program offerings, show off our grand staff, and most importantly, get our community healthy by providing health screenings on-site,” said Quinell Henderson, director of Dinwiddie County Parks & Recreation.

The event will feature many family-friendly activities, community resources, food trucks, and the Justin J. Davis Heart Foundation will provide free produce and groceries.

For more information please contact Lorenzo Bradley Jr. at 804-478-6146 Ext. 8007 about the Open House and Melissa Perez Diggs 804-382-2667 for Health Fair information.

To learn more about CHD, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/crater and our community partners Dinwiddie Parks and Recreation.

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Pittsylvania-Danville Health District Holds Free Flu Vaccination Clinic in Danville

January 24, 2023

Media Contact: Chris Garrett, local health emergency coordinator,
434-766-9828

PITTSYLVANIA-DANVILLE HEALTH DISTRICT
OFFERS FREE FLU VACCINE

DANVILLE, Va. – The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District will offer free seasonal flu vaccine at a special clinic on Friday, February 3, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Ballou Park Recreation Center located at 760 West Main St., Danville.

A limited supply of free influenza vaccine will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for everyone ages 6 months and older.

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.

“We’ve already documented cases of influenza this season in the area, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health recommend vaccination each year for everyone 6 months and older,” said Scott J. Spillmann, MD, MPH, director, Pittsylvania-Danville Health District. “Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza and its potentially severe complications.”

“The timing and duration of flu seasons vary. Since they can occur from early fall to late spring, residents should take advantage of this opportunity to get vaccinated,” said Julia Gwaltney, RN, nurse manager for the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District. “It takes up to two weeks to develop the vaccine’s full protection.”

“In the commonwealth of Virginia, the flu season typically peaks in early January and continues through March. Getting a flu shot in January or February will help safeguard Virginia residents from the nuisance of influenza and the potentially life-threatening complications it causes,” said Chris Andrews, MPH, epidemiologist for the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District. “I would encourage everyone who is eligible to get a flu shot to protect yourself and others.”

Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk for influenza complications, including:
• Pregnant and postpartum women, or those who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
• Persons over 65 years of age, including residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
• People who have chronic lung or heart problems, including asthma; and
• People who have other serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, anemia, cancer, weak immune systems (including those with HIV) or a seizure disorder.

To help prevent the spread of influenza to people in high-risk groups, those who live with people in a high risk group and healthcare workers should also receive an annual influenza vaccine. Travelers to countries outside of the U.S. may also need to consider influenza vaccination, even at different times of the year.

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is a serious disease caused by the influenza virus that affects the respiratory tract. It is highly contagious and generally spreads from person-to-person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can be transmitted even before flu-like symptoms appear. A person usually becomes sick one to three days following exposure to the virus. Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that influenza has resulted in as many as 49 million illnesses, up to 960,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 – 79,000 deaths annually in the U.S. since 2010.

To minimize your risk of contracting or transmitting the flu, follow these simple steps:
• Get vaccinated;
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds;
• Cover your cough, either by using a disposable tissue or coughing into your sleeve, not your hand; and
• Stay at home when you are sick.

For more information, call the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District at 434-766-9828 or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/influenza-flu-in-virginia/.

New River Health District Offers Free Seasonal Flu Vaccine at Drive-Thru Clinic

Dublin, Va. – The New River Health District (NRHD) will offer free seasonal flu vaccine at a special drive-thru dispensing clinic on Tuesday, October 4 from 12-7 p.m. at the NRV Fairgrounds, 5581 Fair Grounds Circle in Dublin.

The free vaccine will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to those 8 years old and above. The vaccine will be given as individuals remain seated in their vehicles. Since the flu shot is given in the upper arm, it is important for those attending the clinic to wear clothing that either has loose-fitting sleeves or is sleeveless.

Influenza, commonly called “flu,” is a serious disease caused by the influenza virus that affects the respiratory tract. It is highly contagious and generally spreads from person-to-person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can be transmitted even before flu-like symptoms appear. A person usually becomes sick one to three days following exposure to the virus. Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue.

“Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza and its potentially severe complications, said Noelle Bissell, M.D., director, New River Health District. This unique ‘drive-thru’ approach is proven to be fast, efficient and a more comfortable way for those seeking a vaccination. It is especially important to get a shot this year because COVID-19 is still circulating and getting infected with both flu and COVID-19 can increase the severity of illness.”

Each year in the U.S. approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu illness. Deaths attributed to flu range from 12,000 to 56,000 annually with an average of 34,000 per year over the last three decades.

It is important for those at higher risk for influenza complications to be vaccinated each year. These higher risk groups include:

  • Pregnant and postpartum women, or those who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
  • Persons over 65 years of age, including residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
  • People who have chronic lung or heart problems, including asthma; and
  • People who have other serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, anemia, cancer, weak immune systems (including those with HIV) or a seizure disorder.

While it takes up to two weeks to develop the vaccine’s full protection, everyone can minimize the risk of contracting or transmitting the flu at all times by following these simple steps:

  • Get vaccinated
  • Consider wearing a mask if one is high risk or if one is having symptoms
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds
  • Cover your mouth when you cough, either by using a disposable tissue or coughing into your sleeve, not your hand
  • Stay at home when you are sick

For more information, call the New River Health District at 540-585-3300 or visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/flu/.

LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts Urge Residents to Get Flu Vaccine

September 15, 2022

Media Contact:
Allie Phillips, population health manager, allison.phillips@vdh.virginia.gov, (276)-415-3360

LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts Urge Residents to Get Flu Vaccine

WISE, Va. – In anticipation of the 2022-2023 flu season, the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts urge residents to get their annual influenza (flu) vaccination to reduce the chance of getting the flu and spreading it to others. Each year, more than 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized from complications of the flu, and about 36,000 die as a result.

It is recommended everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu shot. All local health departments within the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau health districts are accepting appointments and also those who choose to walk in for the vaccine.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic still underway, it’s more important than ever that everyone do their part to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses,” said Melissa Freeman, Immunization Action Program Coordinator for LENOWISCO Health District.

“With cases of flu already starting to appear within our area, now is the time to get the vaccine. Taking this preventative step will aid in the reduction of hospitalizations from the flu. This is especially important with the strain that has been placed on our local healthcare systems since the arrival of COVID-19,” stated Freeman.

If you are unsure if you can be vaccinated, talk with your doctor to discuss your personal health risks and concerns. There are many vaccine options to choose from; the most important thing is to get a flu vaccine each year, and to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.

Flu season generally peaks in December and January and it is important to be vaccinated before the flu begins to spread. Since it takes about two weeks for the flu vaccination to provide protection, the CDC recommends getting your flu shot before the end of October. Children receiving the flu vaccine for the first time require two doses four weeks apart, so the first should be given in September to allow time for the second dose before the end of October.

These simple steps can help stop the spread of germs and help protect you from getting sick:
● Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
● Stay home when you are sick, which will help prevent others from catching your illness.
● Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
● Clean your hands often.
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

In addition to the local health departments, the flu vaccine may also be offered through private health care providers, free clinics, and pharmacies. For those 6 months and older, the injectable vaccine will protect against four strains of the flu virus. A separate vaccine is recommended for those aged 65 and older to give older people a better immune response resulting in better protection against the flu. Individuals who do not have health insurance may receive reduced cost or free flu vaccine with proof of income.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call your local health department.

Cumberland Plateau Health District:
● Buchanan County – 276-935-4591
● Dickenson County – 276-926-4979
● Russell County – 276-889-7621
● Tazewell County – 276-988-5585

LENOWISCO Health District:
● Lee County – 276-346-2011
● Scott County – 276-386-1312
● Wise County/Norton City – 276-328-8000

For more information, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/flu/