Old Dominion News

HEALTH DISTRICT SCHEDULES FREE FLU VACCINE CLINIC

The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District will conduct a free seasonal flu vaccine clinic Friday, November 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Chatham Health Department located at 200 H G Mcghee Drive.

This drive-thru event will offer influenza (flu) vaccinations for everyone ages 9 and older. A limited supply of free influenza vaccine will be available for this event on a first-come, first-served. A parent or guardian must accompany anyone younger than 18.

All persons must remain in the vehicle, and no walk-ups will be vaccinated. Those seeking influenza vaccinations should be seated near a window of the vehicle.

The purpose of these exercises is to simulate a mass vaccination event in which the health department and local agencies would work together so community members could be vaccinated efficiently during a time of emergency. The vaccine is provided by the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Preparedness.

“Virginia is already seeing widespread reports of the flu,” said Pittsylvania-Danville Health Department Director Scott Spillmann, MD, MPH. “Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu vaccine as soon as possible.”

All persons aged six months or older should be vaccinated against influenza each year. Particular effort should be made to vaccinate people at higher risk for influenza complications, including: 

• Pregnant and postpartum women, or those who will be pregnant during the influenza season; 
• Persons 65 years of age or older, including residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities; 
• People who have chronic lung or heart problems, including asthma; and
• People who have other serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, anemia, cancer, weak immune systems (including those with HIV) or a seizure disorder.

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is a serious disease caused by the influenza virus that affects the respiratory tract. It is highly contagious and generally spreads from person-to-person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can be transmitted even before flu-like symptoms appear. A person usually becomes sick one to three days following exposure to the virus. Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. 

To minimize your risk of contracting or transmitting the flu, follow these simple steps:

• Get vaccinated;
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds;
• Cover your cough, either by using a disposable tissue or coughing into your sleeve, not your hand; and
• Stay at home when you are sick.

Visit www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/ to find a location near you to get the flu vaccine. It is safe to get both the flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.

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