Information About the 2006-2007 Flu Season in Fairfax County

This page will be updated as information is received.

January 9, 2007

Influenza Season is Here

Influenza, or “flu” season, which typically runs from October until April, is here once again. There are many steps you can take to help prevent getting the flu, including hand washing frequently throughout the day, and covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper sleeve.

Another way to help fight the illness is by getting a flu vaccine.

Flu Vaccine Availability

A large supply of flu vaccine is available at your local Health Department offices for:

• Adults (18 years and older)
• children (up to 36 months) and,
• children (48 months to 18 years) who are Vaccine for Children eligible (VFC)

Flu shots are available by appointment at some Health Department locations, or during specific walk-in hours at Health Department District Offices. Contact any one of the five offices below for more information.

• Fairfax Office: 703-246-7100
• Herndon-Reston Office: 703-481-4242
• Falls Church Office: 703-534-8343
• Springfield Office: 703-569-1031
• Mount Vernon Office: 703-704-6100

The charge for flu vaccine is $25.

We will be able to bill Medicare (non-HMO only) for flu vaccines. We will also be able to bill Medicaid for qualified clients.

All persons are encouraged to receive flu vaccine. In addition, the Health Department strongly encourages persons considered by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be at high risk for complications from seasonal flu to receive flu vaccine:

• children age 6 months to 59 months
• anyone age 50 years and older
• pregnant women
• people age 5 years to 64 years with underlying chronic health conditions
• residents of long-term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living facilities)
• health-care workers who provide direct patient care
• household members and out-of-home caregivers of
  • children younger than 5 years
  • persons at high risk for severe complications from flu

Flu vaccine may also be available through private physicians or other health care providers, as well as local pharmacies and grocery stores. The American Lung Association of Virginia can provide information on the availability of flu vaccines and clinic locations: 9921 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, VA 23235, 1-800-LUNG-USA www.flucliniclocator.org

This information will be updated as additional information is received.

For More Information

For more information about influenza, or to request educational materials, visit the Health Department Web site or call 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435. You can also call 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435, to hear a recorded message or to leave a message for a public health nurse to call you.

Even if you do receive a flu shot this season, the Health Department recommends that all people remain vigilant about preventing the spread of germs. To prevent the spread of flu and many other illnesses, the Health Department encourages everyone to:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue; immediately discard used tissues.
• Sneeze and cough into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands frequently throughout the day.
• Wash hands by scrubbing together for 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
• Stay home if you develop symptoms such as fever, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, headache and body aches.

Educational Materials Available to Help Prevent the Spread of Illness

You must have the Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view and print the Acrobat PDF files. Alternate Adobe site for text readers.

“It’s Flu Season!” Posters (PDF File, 80K)
Posters are now available to the public from the Fairfax County Health Department that remind people that it's flu season and to cover coughs and sneezes, and wash hands frequently. The 17" x 22" posters are part of the Health Department's overall hand washing campaign: “Your Health is in Your Hands: WASH.”

Hand Wash Instruction Signs. Available in English (Large PDF File, 196K ) and Spanish (Large PDF File, 186K). The Health Department is now distributing 8 1/2" x 11" Hand Washing instruction signs, which can be laminated and placed in bathrooms and hand washing sinks. The signs outline proper hand washing techniques in six easy steps, and feature simple illustrations. The signs are in English on one side and in Spanish on the other side.

You must have the Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view and print the Acrobat PDF files. Alternate Adobe site for text readers.