News Flash

Sept. 18 2017 – This Saturday, Sept. 23, health districts from the Southside, Peninsula, Eastern Shore and Three Rivers areas will provide free shots.

The Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts will hold their walk-up only flu shot clinic at 4410 E. Claiborne Square from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for ages 3 and up.

The flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the seasonal flu virus. Persons ages 6 months and older should be vaccinated annually. The flu affects the respiratory tract and is highly contagious, spreading from person-to-person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Typical symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue.

The vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of complications, including:

• Pregnant and postpartum women, or those who will be pregnant during the influenza season
• Persons over 65 years of age, including residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• People who have chronic lung or heart problems, including asthma
• 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

To minimize your risk of contracting the highly contagious virus follow these 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
• Stay at home when you are sick

For more information about the influenza, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov or www.cdc.gov.