Health Department

As the 2024-25 school year ends and summer begins, it's a great time for children to get up to date on their immunizations. Parents and caregivers are urged to make an appointment for their child now with their healthcare provider to avoid the last-minute rush before the 2025-26 school year starts. Immunizations are the most effective way to protect your child from serious illness and prevent them from missing school and other activities because they are sick. By ensuring your child is vaccinated, you not only protect them but also stop the spread of illness in schools and communities. Parents of students entering kindergarten, 7th grade, and 12th grade should be aware of the Virginia immunization requirements.  Vaccines are available in our community. Find an immunization location that works for you.  1. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider. We encourage you to reach out to your healthcare provider to ensure your child is up to date on their immunizations. Many providers require an appointment—don't delay, schedule it today. In addition to ensuring immunizations are up to date, families are encouraged to catch-up on routine medical care. This includes physicals, dental appointments, and vision and hearing screenings. 2. Visit a Health Department Clinic. The Fairfax County Health Department offers immunizations to all Fairfax County students as well as those who are behind on their scheduled immunizations, need a booster, and to people who are new to the country. Health Department clinics now offer walk-in hours for select clinic services, including immunizations. See walk-in hours. In addition to regular clinic hours, the Health Department is offering several extended hours clinics to ensure children receive the immunizations they need to school. These clinics are open to all Fairfax County students who need immunizations, regardless of if they have had vaccines in the past, are new to the country, or need a follow-up to be up to date.  Call today! Appointments are limited and required. Schedule your appointment by calling 703-246-7100.  See extended hours clinics schedule. 3. Find a community clinic. Inova Cares Clinic for Families provides childhood immunizations for patients who qualify for Medicaid, FAMIS, Inova's Financial Assistance Program, or are uninsured. Learn more.  HealthWorks for Northern Virginia and Neighborhood Health provide healthcare, including vaccinations, for children, families, and individuals regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.  Don't wait to schedule your appointment. Make sure your children are up to date on their immunizations as soon as possible to help them have a healthy school year.  Visit our website to see childhood and required school immunizations and the recommended vaccine schedule.

From the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was notified of a confirmed case of measles at Washington Dulles International Airport and the Washington Area Metro on Sunday, June 8. The confirmed case is an international traveler visiting the Washington, D.C. area. Health officials are coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights. Listed below is the date, time, and location of the potential exposure site: Dulles International Airport (IAD) on Sunday, June 8: Concourse A, on transportation to the International Arrivals Building (IAB), and in the baggage claim area between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Washington Area Metro on Sunday, June 8: Silver Line Train from Dulles International Airport station transferring at the Metro Center Station to the Red Line Train heading towards Shady Grove Station between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. To date in 2025, Virginia has three reported cases of measles. For the latest information on measles cases and exposures in Virginia, please visit the VDH Measles website. What should you do if you were at the above locations on the day and time specified? If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action. If you have never received a measles containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine or a measles-only vaccine which is available in other countries), you may be at risk of developing measles. Anyone who might have been exposed and is considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Non-immune individuals may qualify for post-exposure treatments. People who might have been exposed and are not immune should contact their health care provider or local health department immediately to coordinate administration of post-exposure prophylaxis. Watch for symptoms for 21 days after the date of your potential exposure. If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff. Anyone with an immunocompromising condition should consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions or develop symptoms. If you have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve the highest level of protection, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose. Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to fourteen days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared. Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection. Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles. However, infants who are too young to be vaccinated, and others who are not vaccinated, are very susceptible to infection if they are exposed to measles. Infants six months through 11 months of age who will be traveling internationally, or to an outbreak setting, should receive one dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the MMR vaccine. To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request your vaccination records using the VDH Immunization Record Request Form. Virginia residents with additional questions about their potential exposure can email epi_response@vdh.virginia.gov or contact your local health department. For more information about measles, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/.

In the midst of day-to-day life, men's health can be, and often is, overlooked. As we recognize and honor dads across the country this Father's Day weekend, take time to focus on men's health with some important conversations and reminders. Here are five easy things you can talk about: Preventive care is key: Men die an average of 5 years earlier than women, often from preventable conditions. Routine check-ups and screenings are crucial for early detection of health issues.   Early detection makes a difference: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men. Catching cancer early often allows more treatment options. Talk to your doctor about what cancer screenings might be right for you.  Know your numbers: 50.8% of men ages 18 and older in the United States have high blood pressure. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can lead to serious health problems. By knowing and understanding your cholesterol and blood pressure numbers, you can take the steps necessary to stay healthy.  Talk about mental health and seek support: Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, often go undiagnosed in men due to stigma. It has also been found that suicide rates among men are significantly higher. Anybody can experience mental health issues and there is no shame in asking for help. The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board offers counseling, medication, crisis response, resources, and other services for people of all ages with mental health concerns.   Prioritize your health and wellbeing: A study found only 28.3% of men ages 18 and older in the United States met physical activity guidelines. Everyday activities such as exercising, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep can help prevent serious health conditions.   Give the gift of good conversation, disease prevention and healthy habits this Father’s Day!