Health Department

Starting this October, the Fairfax County Health Department District Office locations will be named “Public Health Centers.” The name change coincides with the Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center opening on October 7, 2025. Once this new location opens, the other Health Department locations will be known as follows:

• Annandale Public Health Center (APHC)
• Herndon-Reston Public Health Center (HRPHC)
• Mt. Vernon Public Health Center (MVPHC)
• West Springfield Public Health Center (WSPHC formerly “Springfield District Office”)

The former term “District Office” has occasionally caused confusion for residents mistakenly going to a Board of Supervisors district office instead of a Health Department location.

Renaming these locations “Public Health Centers” also helps clarify their function. The updated names better reflect the full range of services available at these centers, which include immunizations, STI and HIV testing, Tuberculosis screening, WIC, and vital records, and further conveys their purpose as a location for community residents and stakeholders to receive other public health information. For more information about Fairfax County Health Department services, visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/clinics.

The Health Department is reminding residents that the Joseph Willard Health Center located in the City of Fairfax will temporarily close October 1, 2025. Learn more: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/joseph-willard-health-center-closing-during-construction-project

As temperatures rise, so do the risks for heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and people with chronic health conditions are especially at risk, but extreme heat can affect anyone. Knowing how to prepare, spot the warning signs, and take action can help you stay safe.

Understanding Heat Alerts

Fairfax County activates its heat response plan when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a heat advisory, watch, or warning — usually about 24 hours in advance. These alerts are based on the heat index, which combines temperature and humidity to reflect how hot it actually feels outside.

• Heat Advisory: Dangerous heat is expected. Take precautions to stay cool and hydrated.
• Extreme Heat Watch: Hazardous heat is possible. Reschedule outdoor activities, and make sure children, older adults, pets, and service animals have access to cool shelter.
• Extreme Heat Warning: Dangerous heat is happening or about to happen. Avoid strenuous activity and direct sunlight. Stay indoors, if possible, drink plenty of fluids, and check on loved ones, pets, and service animals.

Heat-Related Illnesses: What to Watch For

Heat-related illnesses can come on quickly, so it’s important to know the signs and what to do.

• Heat Exhaustion:
  • Symptoms: Heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, cool or clammy skin, headache, muscle cramps.
  • What to Do: Move to a cooler spot (ideally indoors with air conditioning); apply cool, wet cloths to your body or take a cool bath; and sip water. Seek medical help if symptoms worsen, last more than an hour, or include vomiting.
• Heat Stroke:
  • Symptoms: Confusion, slurred speech, body temp above 103°F, red or dry skin, rapid pulse, fainting.
  • What to Do: Call 911 immediately. This is a medical emergency. Move the person to a cooler place, use cool cloths or a cold bath to lower body temperature, and avoid giving fluids unless told otherwise by a medical professional.
• Dehydration:
  • Symptoms: Dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, dark-colored urine, muscle cramps.
  • What to Do: Sip water or electrolyte drinks to rehydrate. Avoid or limit caffeine and alcohol consumption, as these can be dehydrating.
• Heat Rash:
  • Symptoms: Clusters of red blisters in sweaty areas.
  • What to Do: Keep the area cool and dry. Avoid heavy creams or ointments that can trap heat.
• Heat Cramps:
  • Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps in the legs or abdomen, heavy sweating.
  • What to Do: Rest, sip water (unless you feel nauseated), and gently stretch or massage cramped muscles. If cramps last more than an hour, seek medical attention.
• Sunburns:
  • Symptoms: Red, painful skin that feels hot to the touch.
  • What to Do: Use sunscreen SPF 30+ to prevent sunburn, reapply often, and stay out of direct sunlight. For burns, take cool baths, apply aloe vera, and stay hydrated. Seek medical care if blisters or fever occur.

Take Steps to Stay Safe in the Heat

When summer temperatures are high, you can protect yourself by following these Do’s and Don’ts:

• Do:
  • Drink water regularly. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty!
  • Wear loose, light-color clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Use sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30+ and reapply often.
  • Identify air-conditioned places you can go to stay cool.
• Don’t:
  • Leave people or animals in parked cars.
  • Rely solely on a fan.
  • Exercise or do other strenuous activity outdoors during extremely high temperatures.
  • Drink alcohol or sugary drinks.

Fairfax County and its partners offer several programs to help you and your loved ones beat the heat:

• Senior Cool Care Program: The Senior Cool Care Program is a program that helps low-income older residents in our jurisdiction keep cool during summer months. This program does not provide financial assistance, but it provides additional cooling at home by providing fans for eligible older adults, age 60 and older.
• Cooling Assistance Program: The Cooling Assistance program helps keep Fairfax County residents cool during the summer months through financial assistance for paying electric bills, repairing central air conditioning systems, purchasing a whole-house fan, and more. To be eligible, at least one household member must be: 60 or older; 5 or younger; or disabled according to Social Security, Medicaid or 100% Veteran’s Administration.
• Cooling Centers: Visit indoor air-conditioned locations during operating hours to stay cool. In addition to shopping malls, stores or movie theaters, you may consider cooling off at one of our county facilities designated as Cooling Centers, including libraries, community centers, REC centers, Human Services regional offices, and homeless shelters. Check that locations are open before you arrive.
• Public Pools: The county operates several pools, which are open to the public.

Considerations for Medical Conditions

High heat can worsen existing medical conditions like heart disease and respiratory illness. Some medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and certain heart medicines, can make it harder for your body to cool down. Other medications, such as insulin, can be damaged by heat and lose their effectiveness. Diuretics can have a dehydrating effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about how heat may affect your condition and medicine.

• As you sweat, you can lose important salt and minerals from your body. Talk with your doctor about how you can safely restore lost salt and minerals from heavy sweating.
• Caretakers of individuals with chronic conditions should monitor whether the individual is drinking enough water, showing signs of heat stress, knows how to keep cool, and knows where and how to access air conditioning.

High heat also comes with other health considerations:

• Mental Health: High temperatures can increase stress, anxiety, irritability, and other negative feelings. Check in with your loved ones and neighbors. The county’s Community Services Board offers mental health services. Check out resources.
• Animals (including Service Animals): If temperatures are unsafe for you, then temperatures are unsafe for pets and service animals. Never leave pets in cars or on hot pavement. To report a pet in a hot vehicle, you can call Animal Protection Police at 703-691-2131. Make sure that they have constant access to fresh water and bring service animals and pets indoors during extreme heat. Certain animals such as short-nosed dogs and cats, senior animals, and those with heart or lung conditions are more affected by heat. Look out for symptoms of overheating, such as excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, or weakness. Learn more emergency preparedness tips for animals.
• Outdoor Workers: Wear breathable gear and take frequent breaks, as possible. Limit heat exposure by taking frequent breaks in cool or shaded areas, trying to work in the shade, and staying hydrated by drinking lots of water.

To learn more about extreme heat and available county resources, visit the Department of Emergency Management and Security’s extreme heat webpage.

Over the last two months, there has been an increase in the number of people seeking emergency care for hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), especially involving young children, ages 0 to 4-year-olds in Fairfax County. HFMD is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children younger than five years old. There have been six outbreaks of HFMD reported in the Fairfax County Health District in 2025, with five of them being reported in the past two months. These increases are also being seen across the rest of Northern Virginia.

What is hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD)?

HFMD is a viral illness that most commonly affects infants and children under 5 years of age. Symptoms typically last 7-10 days and include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Painful mouth sores that blister
• Rash commonly found on hands and feet (palms and soles)

The illness is usually not serious, but it is very contagious and can spread quickly through childcare, schools, and summer camps. HFMD spreads by respiratory droplets, contact with secretions, fluid from the blisters, or feces, and by touching environmental surfaces that are contaminated with the virus.

What should you do if your child has HFMD?

Children with symptoms should stay home from school/daycare and camps. Children can return to school/daycare or summer camp when they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication and have no uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores, and they feel well enough to participate in classroom activities. Over-the-counter medications may be used to relieve fever and pain caused by mouth sores. Mouth sores can make it painful to swallow, but it is important to ensure your child drinks enough to stay hydrated.

How can you prevent HFMD?

HFMD can spread through contact with virus particles after a person sneezes, coughs, or talks or touching an infected surface. Prevent spreading by:

• Washing hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds; hand sanitizer is not as effective against the virus
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
• Avoiding close contact with others

Learn more about HFMD.

From the Virginia Department of Health

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is urging parents and caregivers to take the Pool Safely Pledge (en Español) as the Commonwealth continues to see a concerning rise in accidental drownings among children under the age of five in swimming pools.

Pool Safely is a national public education campaign led by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to help prevent child drownings and entrapments in pools and spas.

The pledge – available for both adults and children – takes less than a minute and reinforces simple, life-saving safety practices.

The adult pledge includes commitment to:

• Designate a water watcher every single time children in their care are in or near the water.
• Make sure their kids know how to swim.
• Learn CPR.
• Always remove portable pool ladders when not in use.
• Ensure all permanent pools have a proper fence and gate and anti-entrapment drain covers.

The children’s pledge includes reminders to:

• Never swim alone.
• Ask their parents to sign them up for swimming lessons.
• Stay away from drains in the pool or hot tub.
• Have fun and always follow these safety steps in and around the water.

To date, children under age five have accidentally drowned in Virginia pools in 2025, an increase from the last three years (three in 2024, two in 2023, and four in 2022.)

“The tragic rise in drowning deaths of young children demands that we all become extra vigilant about pool safety,” said VDH Chief Deputy Commissioner for Community Health Services Susan Fischer Davis, MD. “Have fun at the pool – but always be alert to risks, especially with young children.”

Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages one to four. From 2022 through 2024, an estimated average of 6,300 children under age 15 years were treated annually in U.S. emergency departments (EDs) for nonfatal drowning-related injuries. Seventy-three percent of those children were under age five.

In Virginia, on average, one person drowns every four days. Drownings happen quickly – often silently. Take action now. Take the Pool Safely Pledge today and commit to protecting your family this summer.

Visit swimhealthyva.com for more information. Swim safe. Stay safe!

Lyme disease is the most reported tick-borne disease in the Fairfax area. In 2025, 80* cases of Lyme disease have been reported in the Fairfax Health District so far. In a voluntary survey provided to individuals with confirmed cases of tickborne diseases, only 23% reported finding a tick attached or on them prior to their diagnosis. Exposure to ticks can occur in many places, including your own backyard. It is important to always perform a tick check after spending time outside, especially if you have been in brushy, wooded, or high grass areas. *Preliminary data subject to change. 

Lyme disease is spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (also known as a deer tick). If left untreated, the disease can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system.

Recognize the Symptoms  

Early symptoms of Lyme disease typically occur 3 to 30 days after the tick bite and include: 

• A bull’s-eye rash (Only 70 to 80 percent of people with Lyme disease get this rash) 
• Fever 
• Headache 
• Achy muscles and joints 
• Fatigue  

If you have symptoms or signs of Lyme disease or another tick-borne illness, see your doctor – even if you don’t remember being bitten by a tick. Most cases of Lyme or other tick-borne diseases can be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics. Learn more about the symptoms of Lyme disease. 

Prevent and Protect 

Avoiding ticks is the best defense against Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. It is important to be extra vigilant from March through October when ticks are most active. Blacklegged ticks are also active on warm winter days when the temperature is greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Have a Tick-Free Yard 

Blacklegged ticks need the higher humidity levels of woodland to survive and die quickly in drier environments. Keep ticks out of your yard by: 

• Increasing exposure to sun and air by removing leaf litter 
• Mowing the lawn frequently  
• Clearing tall grass and brush around houses and at the edges of lawns 
• Laying down wood chips or gravel where laws butt up against wooded areas 
• Building fences to discourage animals, such as deer and raccoons, from entering your yard 

Permethrin is an insecticide that is effective in both killing and repelling ticks in your yard. Contact a professional pesticide company to apply pesticides at your home. 

Use Insect Repellent 

• Use EPA-registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) or para-methane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone and always follow product label instructions 
  • American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using products containing no more than 30% DEET on children  
  • Never use oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-methane-diol on children under 3 years of age 
• Apply repellent to your clothing as well as exposed skin
• If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second 
• Do not use any insect repellent on babies under 2 months of age 

Dress to Protect 

Long sleeves and pants in light colors provide protection and make it easier to spot ticks that may have hitched a ride on your clothing. Tuck pant legs into long socks to help prevent ticks from climbing up your shoes and socks and onto your skin. 

Permethrin can be used to treat clothing and gear ahead of time and can last through several washes. When used properly, it will kill ticks before they bite.  

Check for Ticks After You Come Inside 

• Check your clothing; tumble dry clothing on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any remaining ticks 
• Bathe or shower as soon as possible 
• Use a mirror or ask a friend, partner, or spouse to help check your body for ticks; pay close attention to warm, moist areas that ticks are drawn to including armpits, the groin area, in and around ears and hairline, belly button, backs of your knees and between your legs 
• Check your children, gear, and pets for ticks 

Remove Ticks Safely  

If you do get bitten, follow these steps to remove the tick: 

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible 
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick; this may cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin 
3. After removing the tick, thoroughly disinfect the bite site and wash your hands with soap and water  
4. Do not squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick  
5. Do not use nail polish, petroleum jelly, or a hot match to make the tick detach from your skin 
6. Have the tick identified 

Fairfax County Health Department offers a free tick identification service. 

The Health Department does not test for Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases. Still, having your tick identified is useful if you develop symptoms and need to see your medical provider. 

After you remove the attached tick, you can get it identified by the Health Department by submitting a photo online, bringing it in, or mailing it in.  

Learn more about this service. 

School is out, days are warm, and summer is here. Make the most of it with these six reminders for a healthy and safe summer.

Fight the Bite

Mosquitoes and ticks can ruin outdoor fun. Their bites are more than annoying — sometimes they transmit diseases. West Nile virus and Lyme disease are two of the vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, respectively, in our region. Get in the habit of taking these simple prevention measures when you go outside:

• Use insect repellents that contain EPA-registered active ingredients like DEET or picaridin.
• Wear long, loose, light-colored clothing when outdoors.
• Shower soon after outdoor activities; perform tick checks (on yourself, family members, and pets) after spending time outside.

Find more ways to fight the bite, including how to control mosquitoes and ticks.

Add Immunizations to Your Travel Checklist

International travel increases your chances of getting and spreading diseases that are rare or not found in the United States. If your summer plans including traveling outside the country, check to see what immunizations are recommended for the area you are visiting. Prior to traveling, you should also make sure you are up to date on all of your routine vaccines.

See what immunizations you need before traveling and where to get them.

Don’t Invite Food Poisoning to the Party

Food poisoning peaks in the summer months when warmer temperatures cause foodborne germs to flourish. From burgers at barbeques to potato salad at potlucks, there are steps you can take to prevent foodborne illness, such as cooking food to the correct temperature and storing it properly. Get more food safety tips.

Beat the Heat

Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for multiple days. Extreme heat can be dangerous for everyone, but can be especially dangerous for older adults, infants and young children, and people with chronic medical conditions.

• Learn to recognize warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
• Stay cool and stay hydrated.
• Stay informed by paying attention to local weather. You can also follow us on social media and sign up for alerts from Fairfax County.

Be Sun Smart

Enjoy the outdoors without raising your risk of skin cancer by protecting your skin from the sun. UV rays damage the skin which leads to wrinkles and increases your risk of skin cancer. Remember, you can be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light even on cloudy and cool days. Layer up on your protection to be sun safe.

• Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that filters out both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply regularly.
• Wear protective layers like a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays, and protective clothing.
• Whenever possible, find shade and avoid being in the sun when UV rays tend to be strongest — between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daylight saving time.

Swim and Splash Safely

Swimming, and other water-based activities, are a great way to be active while staying cool.  Everyone should take steps to prevent illness and injury every time they are in and around the water.

Recreational water illnesses are caused by swallowing, breathing in mist, and having contact with contaminated water. Healthy swimming habits, like not swallowing water, can lower your chance of getting sick. It is also important to stay out of the water if you are sick with diarrhea, to rinse off before getting into pools, splash pads, and hot tubs, and to take young children on bathroom breaks and check diapers (away from the water) every hour.

Drowning often occurs quickly and silently. Follow these drowning prevention tips to keep you and your family safe while swimming:

• Provide active supervision when children are in the water
• Learn basic swimming skills
• Learn CPR
• Avoid swimming after dark
• Watch for swimming hazards like rip currents and rough waters
• Observe any advisories and listen to lifeguards
• “Floaties,” arm bands, and water wings are toys, not safety devices
• Ensure pools have proper safety features

It is also important to know what drowning looks like and how to prevent it.

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 on Thursday, June 19. The confirmed case is an international traveler visiting North Carolina. 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 in Virginia:

• Dulles International Airport (IAD) on Thursday, June 19:

  • Concourse A, on transportation to the International Arrivals Building (IAB), and in the baggage claim area between 7:45 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.

  • Departures area of Main Terminal, East Security Checkpoint, on transportation to Concourse C and inside Concourse C between 8 p.m. and 11:59 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/.

Our furry, feathered, and four-legged companions are part of our families. Just like people, pets can be vulnerable during disasters. Planning ahead can make all the difference in keeping them safe and healthy.

1. Plan Ahead for Service Animals

If you handle a service animal, their well-being is crucial to your own well-being and safety. Here are a few things to consider:

• ID and Documentation: Make sure your service animal wears a collar with up-to-date ID tags and is microchipped.
• Emergency Contacts: Identify a backup caregiver who understands how to care for your service animal so that you have support during a disaster. 
• Training: Work with your service dog to train them on specific tasks you might need their support with during a disaster. 

2. Build a Pet Emergency Kit

Pack a dedicated emergency supply kit for your pets that includes:

• At least three days' worth of food and water.
• Your pet's medications, with copies of prescriptions and dosing instructions.
• Vaccination records and recent medical history.
• Leash, collar, harness, and carrier or crate.
• Waste bags, litter, and other hygiene supplies.
• Comfort items, like a favorite toy or blanket, to help reduce stress.

3. Protect Your Pet's Health

Disasters can disrupt access to routine care. Stay current on vaccinations and flea/tick preventatives, which can be even more important if your pet is around other animals during a disaster.

• Know your vet's emergency plan. Some clinics may close during a major event, so ask how they handle after-hours care or where they refer patients in emergencies. 
• Keep a photo of your pet with you, both for identification and to prove ownership if you are separated.

4. Make Shelter Plans Now

Not all emergency shelters may accept pets, so it's critical to plan ahead:

• Call ahead to a shelter to confirm if it accepts pets.
• Consider friends or family outside your area who might be willing to care for or house your animals temporarily. 
• Have a plan for how to take your pets with you if you have to evacuate.

5. Stay Informed

Sign up for free Fairfax Alerts for timely emergency updates. In a disaster, official channels with share up-to-date information about shelters, health advisories, and other critical resources.

For more public health emergency preparedness resources, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/health/emergency.

As Pride Month fills the air with celebration and advocacy, it's a timely moment to recognize those who work tirelessly year-round to improve the health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community. Among them is Mark O'Neil, a Community Health Specialist for the Health Department, whose work focuses on developing relationships with the LGBTQ+ community in Fairfax County.

Mark's journey into public health was a natural evolution of his passion for community. "Community health feels natural to me, but I wasn’t aware that it could be a career until after I started working for an LGBTQ+ youth program," he explains. His early experiences as an AmeriCorps service member in an LGBTQ+ youth program in Wisconsin, followed by statewide population health work and HIV/STI care navigation in San Francisco and Sonoma County California, laid the foundation for his current role. He joined the Fairfax County Health Department in October 2024.

At its core, Mark describes the role of a community health specialist as a "partner to the communities we serve." This involves offering health education, connecting individuals to vital resources, and building community capacity. For Mark, this translates into actively engaging the LGBTQ+ community in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia, fostering "lasting and authentic relationships with community leaders as well as agencies and programs that serve the LGBTQ+ community."

What truly drives Mark is the profound impact of his work. "I’m passionate about engaging with communities to show them that they are being seen, heard, and celebrated," he shares. This passion was vividly illustrated during recent local Pride celebrations. "I’m still basking in the gratitude that was given for being present," he recounts. He witnessed firsthand the relief and joy on young people's faces as they shared their thoughts on LGBTQ+ health issues. "Adolescence is a rough time for many and adding the layer of queerness to that can make it even more turbulent. By acknowledging that LGBTQ+ young people have a place to belong and be healthy in Fairfax County makes a difference."

Mark believes a critical challenge facing public health today is addressing the social determinants of health that fuel disparities among vulnerable communities. He advocates for a robust and well-funded public health infrastructure that genuinely engages these communities. His personal history deeply informs this conviction: "I’m part of a population that lost a full generation of people to AIDS. The initial response to that crisis was marked by slow, inadequate, and often dismissive action that preyed upon the community’s vulnerabilities rather than addressing root causes." For Mark, this historical context underscores the vital importance of his current work, ensuring that such failures are not repeated.

His biggest accomplishment, he states, is being "an out, gay man who shows up to work as my authentic self and can leverage that knowledge and experience to think strategically of the LGBTQ+ community." However, this authenticity also presents his biggest challenge: "it is particularly challenging to think well of your community in a climate where it is under attack and that parts of it are being systemically erased." Yet, he draws strength from this, reminding himself of his privilege and utilizing opportunities to amplify LGBTQ+ voices.

For those considering a career in public health, Mark offers simple yet profound advice: "As with any career choice, you need to be passionate about your work. Find what makes you happy, but I would also encourage you to try new things to refine that passion." He points to his own unexpected foray into maternal child health, initially outside his HIV/STI focus, as an example of how embracing new challenges can lead to unforeseen professional joys.

While Pride Month is a significant time for visibility and celebration, Mark O'Neil's work is a powerful reminder that the fight for equitable health and genuine belonging for the LGBTQ+ community is a continuous, year-round endeavor, built on authentic relationships and unwavering dedication. 

During Pride Month, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages all residents to take pride in their health and wellness. Taking pride in your health means making decisions that benefit not only yourself but also your family, loved ones, and greater community.

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.