{"id":16101,"date":"2025-10-23T12:44:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T16:44:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=16101"},"modified":"2025-10-23T12:44:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T16:44:57","slug":"central-shenandoah-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\/central-shenandoah-health-district-encourages-all-residents-to-get-vaccinated-for-the-flu\/","title":{"rendered":"Central Shenandoah Health District Encourages All Residents to Get Vaccinated for the Flu"},"content":{"rendered":"

October 23, 2025
\nMedia Contact:<\/strong>\u00a0Rachel Dumene, Rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/u>, 540-480-4998<\/p>\n

Central Shenandoah Health District Encourages All Residents to
\nGet Vaccinated for the Flu<\/strong><\/p>\n

STAUNTON, Va. \u2013 With the 2025-26 influenza (flu), season officially underway, the Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) encourages everyone six months and older who lives, works or plays in the Shenandoah Valley 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><\/u>\u00a0in the U.S and the highest number of pediatric deaths<\/a><\/u>\u00a0during a regular, non-pandemic season. Last season, Virginia reported<\/a><\/u>\u00a0six influenza-associated pediatric deaths and 366 influenza outbreaks. CSHD reported over 2,000 cases of flu last flu season<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe flu is not a mild illness,\u201d says Dr. Allison Baroco, Acting Health Director for CSHD. \u201cEven though we experience flu season every year, it\u2019s important to make sure you are protected each annual flu season by getting vaccinated. Flu shots help maintain the health of our whole community.\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><\/u>\u00a0is 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