Health Department

Fairfax County, Virginia

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Clinic services are not offered at this location.

703-246-2411
TTY 711

10777 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030

Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.,
Director of Health

Maternal and Child Health

Women who see a health care professional early and regularly during their pregnancy have healthier babies. They also are less likely to deliver their babies too early and are less likely to have other serious problems related to pregnancy.

Get care during your pregnancy to increase your chance of having a safe pregnancy and giving your baby a healthy start. Call a Fairfax County Health Department clinic to make an appointment and learn more about maternal and child health services for residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

You are not alone. National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. For support, understanding, and resources, call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMSCall or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. Support is available in in English and Spanish. 

If you are in suicidal crisis, please call or text 988 or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

 

INFANT FORMULA UPDATES

Formula Shortage

We are continuing to navigate through the issues related to the nationwide infant formula shortage. If you have questions, check with your baby’s physician or healthcare provider, especially if your baby is on a restricted diet or has any medical conditions.

Find tips, information and updates about the shortage. 

Formula Recalls

February 20, 2023: Reckitt Recalls Two Batches of Prosobee 12.9 oz Simply Plant Based Infant Formula Because of Possible Health Risk. See photos and learn more about this recall.

Find information about recent infant formula recalls.

If you are a WIC participant, find more information on the WIC page.

COVID-19 iconPregnancy, Breastfeeding and Caring for Newborns During COVID-19

Based on what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) knows at this time, pregnant and recently pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared with nonpregnant people. Pregnant people are more likely to be hospitalized and require critical care including ventilation and admission to the intense care unit. COVID-19 during pregnancy also increases the risk for preterm birth of the infants. 

Current recommendations for pregnant people include:

  • Take precautions to prevent getting COVID-19, including limiting in-person interactions with people who might have been exposed to or who might be infected with COVID-19 (including people within your household), avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, washing hands often and wearing a mask.
  • Seek care immediately if you have a medical emergency.
  • Do not skip prenatal care appointments.
  • Get the recommended vaccines during pregnancy, including a flu shot and a whooping cough (Tdap) shot, to help protect you and your baby.

Information about COVID-19 Vaccines

If you are pregnant, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), CDC, and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recommend vaccination based on new evidence on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. 

Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. Here are some important things to know:

  • Data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy. New findings from CDC’s v-safe pregnancy registry suggest that receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during early pregnancy does not increase the risk for miscarriage.
  • Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19. 
  • Safety monitoring systems are in place to gather information about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. 
  • You can get any of the COVID-19 vaccines. Women aged under 50 years should be aware of the rare risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after receipt of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine and the availability of other FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines (i.e., mRNA vaccines). Read more.
  • If you are deciding whether to get a COVID-19 vaccine, consider your COVID-19 risks, the benefits, and what we know about its safety. Talking with your healthcare provider might help, but is not required. You can also call the Health Department’s COVID-19 information line at 703-267-3511 or MotherToBaby at 1-866-626-6847. 
  • Consider participating in the V-safe pregnancy registry.
  • Learn more: COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding

If you are lactating, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended. 

  • Clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccines did not include people who are breastfeeding, so there is limited data available on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in lactating people and the effects of vaccination on the breastfed baby, milk production or excretion. Based on how these vaccines work in the body, COVID-19 vaccines are thought not to be a risk to lactating people or their breastfeeding babies. 
  • Recent reports have shown that breastfeeding people who have received COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have antibodies in their breastmilk, which could help protect their babies. More data are needed to determine what protection these antibodies may provide to the baby.
  • You can get any of the COVID-19 vaccines. Women aged under 50 years should be aware of the rare risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after receipt of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine and the availability of other FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines (i.e., mRNA vaccines).  Read more.
  • Learn more: COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding

If you are trying to become pregnant now or want to get pregnant in the future, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended. 

  • There is currently no evidence that antibodies made following COVID-19 vaccination or that vaccine ingredients would cause any problems with becoming pregnant now or in the future. Many people have become pregnant after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, including some who got vaccinated during COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials.
  • COVID-19 vaccination is also recommended for partners of people who would like to get pregnant. Currently no evidence shows that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause male fertility problems. 
  • Learn more: People Who Would Like to Have a Baby

Learn more from the CDC:

Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People
Breastfeeding and Caring for Newborns

 

 

Maternal Health Services

Child Health Services

Home Visiting Services for Women and Infants

Public health nurses provide home visiting services to women during and after pregnancy and to infants through the Healthy Families Fairfax program, the Nurse-Family Partnership program and the Health Department's Maternal and Child Health Field Program. Services include:

  • Pregnancy support and education.
  • After-pregnancy follow-up.
  • Assessment and support for depression and intimate partner violence.
  • Parenting skills and parent-child bonding support.
  • Child development delay checks.

Call the Family Resources Referral Line at 703-246-8450 for more information about home visits.

You also can fill out and return the Family Resources Service community referral form to have a staff member contact you about home visiting services.

Women's Health

Taking folic acid vitamins every day is one way a woman can lower her chance of having a baby with brain or spine birth defects. Even if you do not plan to have a baby, preconception health can help you stay healthy. Learn more on CDC’s preconception health website.

Women have so many options of birth control to choose from. Finding one that fits your life is important. Get more information about family planning:

Food Resources in Fairfax County

A variety of food resources for individuals and families are available throughout the county. See:

 

Additional Resources

Fairfax Virtual Assistant