Author: bryanhooten

As you and your family prepare to travel during the holiday season, Richmond and Henrico Health District (RHHD) remind you to take important steps now to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Holiday travel and festive gatherings can increase the risk of spreading infectious diseases and encountering unexpected emergencies. 

“Gathering with friends and family is one of the highlights of the holiday season,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “When we take steps like checking our immunization status, preventing seasonal illness, and making smart travel decisions, we protect our health and the health of our loved ones. Have a safe and memorable holiday, whether you are traveling or staying close to home.” 

RHHD shares these tips to healthy and safe holiday travel: 

• Check Immunization Status: To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records through the VDH Record Request Portal. Make sure you are up-to-date on all of your recommended vaccines. Measles and other infectious diseases can spread quickly in a large group of unvaccinated people.  

• Prevent Seasonal Illnesses: Protect yourself and your loved ones from respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV by doing three little things: washing your hands, covering your cough and getting vaccinated. Everyone aged six months and older should get a flu shot every year, with a few exceptions. Talk to a healthcare provider about which vaccines are recommended for you and your family. 

• Monitor Travel Advisories: Check current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of State travel advisories before departure. 

• Pack Smart: Pack enough prescription medications for the entire trip, plus extra in case of delays. Keep medications in their original containers and carry them in your hand luggage. Pack a travel health kit. 

• Stay Home if Sick: Postpone your travel and stay home when you are sick. Consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance to cover expenses if you must change your plans due to illness. 

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage community members to stay aware of food and toy recalls during the holiday season. Recalls let consumers know if there have been possible illnesses or injuries associated with items they’ve purchased.  

“We encourage everyone to be aware of safety recalls during the holidays,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Environmental Health Manager Cindy McKelvy. “Recalls protect consumers when a safety issue is found in food or in consumer products like toys. Anything from a missing allergen label to burn and fire hazards can cause a recall. Once a recall has been initiated, consumers should check their pantries, refrigerators or freezers, and their children’s toys for any recalled items. Community members should ensure their safety and the safety of their families by carefully following recall instructions for return or disposal of the items.” 

Recent Food-Related Outbreaks and Product-Related Injuries and Deaths 

There have been food-related outbreaks of salmonella, listeria and infant botulism in the U.S. in 2025.  

According to the 2024 Annual Report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 62 deaths and an estimated 87,709 emergency department-treated injuries associated with use of child nursery equipment and supplies. There were 13 deaths and 180,224 emergency department-treated injuries associated with the use of toys.  

These organizations post recall information: 

• Foodsafety.gov, the Food and Drug Administration, and the CDC post food recalls. 
• SaferProducts.gov and the Consumer Product Safety Commission post toy recalls. 
• Retailers will often use store loyalty card programs to notify customers if they have purchased items that have been recalled. 
• Many local news sources will also highlight recalls.  

If you have purchased a recalled product:  

• Do not eat or use the product. 
• Return the food or toy for a refund, as instructed by the recall. 
• Dispose of the product safely, as instructed by the recall. 
• In the case of a food recall, clean surfaces, drawers, or utensils that came into contact with the food.  

Follow these tips to ensure all holiday gifts are safe for children:  

• Make sure any toy you buy is age appropriate. Children under three should not use toys with small parts that can easily go into a mouth. If you’re not sure about size, try fitting toy parts through a toilet paper roll — toys that can pass through the roll will pose a choking hazard.  
• Follow all packaging instructions about safe usage.  
• If you’re gifting a bike, skates, or scooter, add a helmet to the package. 

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts RHHD encourage community members to prepare for winter weather at home and on the road by building emergency kits and understanding cold weather hazards. 

“Don’t let winter weather take you by surprise,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Acting Local Health Emergency Coordinator Alyssa Lewis. “Now is the time to make sure your home, family, friends, and neighbors are ready for the winter season. We encourage everyone to create basic kits for your home and vehicles, know what hazards affect your area, and know how to keep your loved ones safe. A little preparation now can prevent an emergency later.” 

RHHD offers these tips to help you and your family prepare for winter weather: 

• Keep at least one emergency kit at home and one in your vehicle. Ready.gov has a great list of basic kit necessities and options for making low-cost kits. If there’s a baby in the home, make sure the kit includes formula and/or breast milk supplies, diapers, and other necessary items. Anyone with prescription medications should place a few weeks’ worth in their kit. If you freeze or refrigerate breast milk or prescription medication, add a cooler to your kit checklist. Finally, Don’t forget about your pets. 
• Keep warm safely. The improper use of some heat sources can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or death. In the event of a power outage and freezing temperatures: 
  • Avoid using stovetop burners or an oven to heat your home.  
  • Keep generators outdoors and separate from the home. 
  • If your car becomes stranded: 
  • Clear snow from the exhaust pipe. 
  • Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat. 
  • While running the motor, open an upwind window (the direction the wind is coming from) slightly for ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. 
• Write down the contact information and directions to your local Inclement Weather Shelter or warming center. 
  • City of Richmond Inclement Weather Shelter (IWS)
    1900 Chamberlayne Parkway
    Richmond, VA, 23222
    Open 5 p.m.-8 a.m.
    The IWS is for single adult men and women and can accommodate service animals. All guests can access heated indoor space, restrooms, seating, light snacks and beverages, dinner, ADA-accessible areas, hygiene kits, weekly health services van, mobile showers twice monthly, bed bug treatment, and onsite security. Access to the shelter is on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • Extended Hours: The IWS may remain open after 8:00 a.m. in the event of: 
      • Temperatures ≤ 40°F, or 
      • Freezing rain or snow greater than one inch over a 24-hour period 
  • Families may access the Community Resource & Training Center (CRTC) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    1900 Chamberlayne Parkway
    Richmond, VA, 23222
    Call 804-646-3111 or email homeless@rva.gov for more information. 
  • Richmond Public Library branches serve as warming spaces during normal operating hours. 
  • Henrico County libraries and recreation centers are open to the public during normal operating hours.  
• Check weather conditions before driving. If you’re not familiar with driving in the snow, or your vehicle isn’t built for extreme weather, consider delaying your trip. A wet day with freezing temperatures overnight can create icy streets the following day. Visit the Virginia Department of Transportation for more winter driving tips. If you plan to travel, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) provides travel advisories on current road conditions and weather forecasts. Travelers can easily access weather information by dialing 511, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or via the website at 511.vdot.virginia.gov. 
• Check for impairment before driving. Distractions, drowsiness, drugs, and alcohol can impair your driving. Traffic crashes are preventable. Keep loved ones and community members safe by arranging for a designated driver, making use of rideshares or the Greater Richmond Transit Company’s (GRTC) fare-free bus lines, or by gathering at home. 

For more information and winter weather safety tips, visit ready.gov/winter-ready. 

With the 2025-26 respiratory virus season officially underway, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage everyone six months and older who lives, works, or plays in our community to receive their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a severe 2024-25 flu season with record high hospitalization rate in the U.S and the highest number of pediatric deaths during a regular, non-pandemic season. Last season, Virginia reported six influenza-associated pediatric deaths and 366 influenza outbreaks. 

Vaccination Rates 

Current local vaccination rates for flu and COVID-19 are lower than they have been in previous years. As of Dec. 2, 2025, 19.6 percent of Richmond City residents and 23.3 percent of Henrico County residents have received the 2025-2026 flu vaccine. Only 7.8 percent of Richmond City and 7.7 percent of Henrico County residents have received the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine.  

By Dec. 2, 2024, 19.7 percent of Richmond City residents and 25.7 percent of Henrico County residents had received the flu vaccine. During the same time period, 10 percent of Richmond residents and 11 percent of Henrico residents had received the COVID-19 vaccine.  

“Vaccines are the best tool we have for preventing infection from flu and COVID-19,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “Unfortunately, we are seeing fewer people get these safe and effective vaccines than in years past. Vaccines can protect you and your community from severe illness, hospitalization, and death as respiratory virus activity increases in the colder months. Just like we’ve seen with viruses like measles, more vaccinations mean reduced transmission, fewer outbreaks, and more time with friends and family.” 

Where to Get Vaccines 

You can get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19 at a local pharmacy or your primary care provider. 

Virginia Vaccines for Children (VVFC) providers offer no-cost vaccines to children (younger than 19 years of age) who are uninsured or underinsured; Medicaid-eligible or Medicaid-enrolled; and/or American Indian or Alaska Native. Search for a VVFC provider near you by using rhhd.gov/vfc.  

Virginia Vaccines for Adults (VVFA) providers offer no-cost vaccinations to adults who are uninsured or underinsured. People receiving VVFA vaccinations may be required to pay an admin fee, usually between $10 and $20. Search for a VVFA provider near you by using rhhd.gov/vfa. 

Respiratory Virus Season 

Flu season, the period of highest virus activity, normally begins in early October and ends in late May. While seasonal outbreaks can happen as early as October, during most seasons, activity peaks in January or February. COVID-19 spreads year-round but tends to be more common in the fall and winter. 

People need flu and COVID-19 vaccines for two reasons. First, the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because these viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of these vaccines is reviewed each year and updated to target changing viruses. 

As long as these viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to get your vaccines. 

COVID-19 and Influenza Viruses 

Influenza and COVID-19 are serious diseases caused by viruses that affects the respiratory tract. These viruses generally spread from person-to-person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These viruses can be transmitted even before symptoms appear. A person usually becomes sick with flu one to three days following exposure to the virus. A person usually becomes sick with COVID-19 two to 14 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. Typical COVID-19 symptoms include fever, chills, cough, loss of taste or smell, severe fatigue, headaches, body aches, and sore throat. 

How to Protect Yourself and Others 

To minimize your risk of contracting or transmitting these viruses, 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. 
• Stay at home when you are sick. 

It is safe to get both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. For more information, call RHHD at 804-205-3500. 

Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook. 

• Support vaccination events for flu, COVID19, and school-required immunizations.
• Staff shelters and mobile clinics during storms and other emergencies.
• Teach hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) use, and bleeding control skills.
• Assist with opioid response by leading Revive! training sessions.
• Staff first aid tents at marathons, races, and community celebrations.
• Assist with rabies vaccination clinics and drug takeback events.
• Provide administrative and call center support.