{"id":16025,"date":"2025-10-16T12:15:31","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T16:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=16025"},"modified":"2025-10-16T12:15:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T16:15:31","slug":"the-rappahannock-rapidan-health-district-encourages-all-residents-to-get-vaccinated-for-the-flu","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/archived-news-releases\/2025-regional-news-releases\/the-rappahannock-rapidan-health-district-encourages-all-residents-to-get-vaccinated-for-the-flu\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Encourages All Residents to Get Vaccinated for the Flu"},"content":{"rendered":"

October 8, 2025
\nMedia Contact: <\/strong>Dr Zelalem Attlee, Zelalem.Attlee@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District<\/strong> Encourages All Residents to Get Vaccinated for the Flu<\/strong><\/p>\n

WARRENTON, Va. \u2013 With the 2025-26 influenza (flu), season officially underway, the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Health Department encourages everyone six months and older who lives, works or plays in Culpeper, Fauquier, Orange, Madison, and Rappahannock counties to receive their annual influenza vaccine.<\/p>\n

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a severe 2024-25 flu season with record high hospitalization rate<\/a> in the U.S and the highest number of pediatric deaths<\/a> during a regular, non-pandemic season. Last season, Virginia reported<\/a> six influenza-associated pediatric deaths and 366 influenza outbreaks. RRHD has the lowest rate of flu cases as compared to Alexandria and Fairfax counties.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting your flu shot is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health and the health of those around you,\u201d said Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Director James B. Carr, M.D. \u201cEach year, the flu vaccine helps reduce the burden on our healthcare system and keeps our community safer, especially for young children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated early in the season and do their part in staying healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flu season, the period of highest influenza activity, normally begins in early October and ends in late May. While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, during most seasons, activity often peaks in January or February.<\/p>\n

A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons. First, the body\u2019s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and updated to keep up with changing flu viruses.<\/p>\n

You should get the influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, it\u2019s not too late to get your flu vaccine.<\/p>\n

Influenza<\/a> is a serious disease caused by the influenza virus that affects the respiratory tract. The flu 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.<\/p>\n

To minimize your risk of contracting or transmitting the flu, follow these simple steps:<\/p>\n