Updates from the Health Department
October 15, 2025
In 2025, 36% of households—or 1.5 million people—in the DMV (DC-Maryland-Virginia) reported experiencing food insecurity within the past year. Food insecurity, defined as limited or uncertain access to nutritious food, can have a significant impact on one's mental and physical health, including an increased risk of obesity and chronic disease, such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Addressing food insecurity requires collaboration at every level, from the individuals growing fresh produce to organizations distributing it to the community.
On Wednesday, October 8, the Fairfax Food Council and the Emergency Food Strategy Team, which is led by the Food Access Program, hosted a meeting between fresh food producers and emergency food distributors. Representatives from 25 organizations across the DMV are gathered at the Fairfax County Government Center to discuss opportunities and challenges involved in receiving, storing, and distributing fresh food donations. Attendees also brainstormed practical solutions to improve collaboration, sharing what each could offer and how they could fill gaps in the food system. "This joint meeting fostered an insightful exchange between fresh food producers and emergency food providers. It surfaced real challenges and generated actionable solutions that will strengthen our local food system, from transportation and storage to donor education and community engagement," said Elisa Solomon, community health specialist with the Fairfax Food Council.
This meeting aimed to strengthen partnerships and find ways to make fresh food at food pantries more accessible to the community. "This marked an important step toward stronger coordination between fresh food producers and emergency food providers, with the potential to reshape how food reaches our communities," said Elisa. "This is just the beginning. We're excited to build on this momentum and welcome partners from across the food system to help turn shared insights into action and lasting change."
The Fairfax Food Council currently partners with 75 community organizations across Fairfax County and its surrounding areas. Learn more about the Fairfax Food Council and how you can get involved.
Subscribe to the Food Council newsletter (found under the Health and Human Services section) to receive updates about food access and literacy, donation opportunities, urban gardening and activities and resources from around Fairfax County.
October 7, 2025
The Fairfax County Health Department is pleased to announce that the Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center, located at 6564 Loisdale Court in Springfield, is officially opened.
The state-of-the-art facility provides a wide array of public health services, including immunizations, maternity services, HIV & STI testing, assistance with navigating county resources, vital records, as well as the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) nutrition program.
The Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center offers a flexible space designed for families and is easily accessible to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station and several bus lines.
Services are available by appointment and during walk-in hours. For walk-in hours, please visit the Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center web page. To make an appointment for clinical services, please call 703-246-7100. For WIC services, call 703-246-5599.
The Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center is located at 6564 Loisdale Court, Springfield, VA.
Fairfax County Health Department staff on opening day
September 30, 2025
The Fairfax County Health Department announced the grand opening of its new public health center located at 6564 Loisdale Court, Springfield, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The state-of-the-art facility expands services and welcomes residents who faced transportation challenges.
The Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center provides a wide array of public health services, including immunizations, maternity services, HIV & STI testing, assistance with navigating county resources, vital records, as well as the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) nutrition program. Services will be available by appointment and during walk-in hours.
The new facility, located on the fourth floor, offers a flexible space and is designed for families with diverse health needs. Features include nine patient-centric exam rooms, two with negative air pressure (to service residents with infectious diseases, including tuberculosis), and one with a barrier-free bariatric exam table allowing families and individuals of all sizes and abilities to be cared for together. In addition, the site includes seven WIC consultation rooms providing private, comfortable spaces for new moms to breastfeed and who are supported by specially trained staff.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Sept. 26, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay, Supervisor for the Franconia District Rodney Lusk, along with Fairfax County’s Director of Health Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu and Deputy Director for Medical Services Dr. Parham Jaberi provided remarks.
Ribbon cutters left to right: Mr. William Finerfrock; Mrs. Leann Aberts, Dr. Natalia Giscombe Simons, Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu; Chairman Jeffrey McKay; Supervisor Rodney Lusk, and Dr. Parham Jaberi
“The Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center is a great addition to our community, providing expanded access to essential health services and supporting the wellness of all Fairfax County residents, said Chairman Jeffrey McKay. “With modern facilities and a dedicated team, it will help ensure that everyone has the care they need, close to home.”
Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu commented that public health is the cornerstone of strong communities and conveyed the new site demonstrates the county’s commitment to residents’ equitable access to healthcare. Dr. Jaberi shared that some 47 public health staff will provide services to multilingual clients with diverse health needs by collaborating across multiple county programs in a welcoming environment.
L to R: Chairman Jeff McKay, Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, Supervisor Rodney Lusk
“The opening of the Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center represents a significant milestone in Fairfax County’s ongoing commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community, said Supervisor Lusk. “Families and individuals in our community will more easily be able to obtain essential services like immunizations, nutritional support, tuberculosis treatment and many other critical public health resources.”
“This health center is not only comprehensive in the services it offers, but also easily accessible. Its location near the Franconia-Springfield Metro station and several bus lines ensures that public transit users have a direct path to care. This is an important step in reducing barriers to obtaining quality health care here in Fairfax County,” continued Supervisor Lusk.
To make an appointment for clinical services, please call 703-246-2411. For WIC services, call 703-246-5599.
Following the temporary closure of the Joseph Willard Health Center on October 1, the Franconia-Springfield site will be one of five public health centers serving county residents who need preventative services and other important health and nutrition services.
For more information about Health Department services, please visit the clinics page.
For photos of the ribbon-cutting ceremony visit Fairfax County’s Flickr page.
September 19, 2025
As we transition from summer to fall, we also head into flu season. So, as you dust off those boots and jackets, take some time to go over these five simple strategies you can use to protect yourself and those around you.
1. Get your annual flu shot
The flu vaccine is the best protection against the flu. It reduces your chance of getting sick and helps to protect others around you who cannot be vaccinated. Even if you do get sick, being vaccinated significantly reduces the severity of the illness. Everyone ages 6 months and older should get the annual flu shot. The ideal time to get a flu vaccine is September-October. This makes sure that you are protected during the height of flu season. However, if you are unable to get a flu shot until later in the year, you are still encouraged to do so. Talk to your doctor or visit a pharmacy to get vaccinated.
To find where you can receive a flu vaccine, visit VDH's Vaccine Provider Locator.
2. Wash your hands often
Washing your hands regularly is one of the best and simplest ways to prevent yourself from getting sick. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If there is no soap or water available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Learn when you should wash your hands.
Learn when you should wash your hands.
3. Cover your coughs and sneezes
Coughing and sneezing can spread germs to others. Always cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue, not with your hands. Make sure to throw out tissues and wash your hands immediately after.
4. Clean surfaces regularly and avoid touching your face
When you touch your eyes, nose and mouth germs on your hands can enter your body and make you sick. Clean frequently touched surfaces such as countertops, handrails and doorknobs regularly. Make sure to wash your hands at key times, like before touching your face, putting in contacts and eating.
5. Stay home when sick
Staying home when sick is important in preventing illness from spreading to others. Stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both:
Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
You have not had a fever without using fever-reducing medication.
When you return to your normal activities take extra care to not spread illness to others, as you could still be contagious. Consider wearing a mask when around others indoors or keeping a distance from others for the next 5 days.
While flu might feel like a simple cold for some people, it can cause serious illness, especially for young children, older adults and people with chronic health conditions. If you are in one of these high-risk groups, speak to your healthcare provider to determine if treatment is right for you.
Don’t let flu get in the way of your fall plans. Get vaccinated and practice these prevention strategies to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Parents: Get your child's immunizations up-to-date!
Ensuring children are up-to-date on their vaccinations helps provide immunity before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.
And remember, vaccination it important at all ages. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers, make sure you are up to date, too!