H1N1 Influenza Information
(Updated November 4, 2009, 2:50pm)
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Information
The Alexandria Health Department's Casey Health Center is no longer accepting appointments for H1N1 vaccinations. The City and the Health Department will be offering vaccine to the public through vaccination clinics as soon as adequate supplies of vaccine are available. Please visit alexandriava.gov/flu for up-to-date information.
Please also visit our recently updated H1N1 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for answers to many of your questions regarding H1N1 and the H1N1 vaccine (updated November 6, 2009, 11:15am).
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The H1N1 influenza virus continues to spread across the United States, and on October 24, 2009, President Barack Obama declared H1N1 a national emergency. This declaration is a proactive measure that allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to give hospitals the ability to implement procedures that can help them handle a possible surge of new patients.
Currently, 46 states, including Virginia, are reporting widespread flu activity, an unprecedented number for this time of year. All states and Washington, D.C., have placed orders for the H1N1 vaccine. However, the CDC has reported that production of the vaccine is slower than expected. This has resulted in vaccine being shipped to health departments and other providers in limited quantities. In the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region, vaccinations for high-risk populations have begun; within the next several weeks, adequate supplies will be available for everyone who wants to receive the vaccine.
This page will be frequently updated with information about H1N1 flu vaccination clinics in the City of Alexandria, and with other information about the disease and how to prevent it.
- For more information, call the Alexandria Health Department, at 703.838.4400, ext. 352.
- Expectant mothers are asked to call the Casey Clinic at 703.519.5979, ext. 252.
- For general information about H1N1, please call the VDH H1N1 Information Hotline at 1-877-ASK VDH3 (1-877-275-8343).
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H1N1 Influenza -- What's New
City of Alexandria Holds H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Saturday, October 31
(October 27, 2009)
News Highlights
- Vaccinations will be offered first to persons at highest risk of complications and death from H1N1 flu
- Only the injectable form of the vaccine will be offered at this clinic
- Future vaccination clinics will be announced, contingent on vaccine availability
For More Information
The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Health Department are holding a public H1N1 vaccination clinic on Saturday, October 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the George Washington Middle School Large Gymnasium, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave. Vaccinations are free of charge. Only the injectable form of the vaccine will be available at this clinic; no nasal vaccine will be available at this site at this time. This clinic will be targeted to individuals at highest risk of complications and death from H1N1 influenza as designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including:
- pregnant women
- caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age
- children ages 6 months to 24 years old
- health care workers
- adults 24 to 65 years old with chronic health conditions
To help keep lines moving efficiently, participants are asked to wear sleeveless or short-sleeved shirts to the clinic.
Nationwide, H1N1 vaccine shipments have been delayed and are being sent to states in limited quantities. Within the next 1-2 months, adequate supplies will be available for everyone who wants to receive this vaccine. The AHD also encourages people to check first with their health care providers for availability of H1N1 vaccine, as many providers have signed up to receive vaccine to give to their patients.
The Health Department, in collaboration with City partners, plans to provide the H1N1 vaccine to the general public through mass vaccination clinics on Friday evenings and daytime Saturdays starting in November. Specific dates, times and locations will be announced as soon as adequate supplies of vaccine are available. The AHD also will be offering the H1N1 vaccine to its clients and to others who wish to come to the Health Department during business hours. Specific hours and locations will be announced once the Health Department receives an adequate amount of vaccine.
2nd Aquatic Health Public Meeting
In response to the Public Meeting on October 5th, the Health Department will be revising the existing Aquatic Health Ordinance draft to include some of the comments made. The Health Department is hosting a 2nd Public Meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at the Lee Center Gold Room from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm to discuss the revisions. For more information, please see the following website: www.alexandriava.gov/AquaticHealth
Important Flu Shot Update
The Health Department is encouraging everyone to obtain a flu shot through his or her medical home or local clinic. Please refer to www.findaflushot.com to find a clinic in your area.
Currently, our supplier of seasonal flu vaccine for adults has temporarily delayed our shipment. Thus, the Health Department will not offer seasonal flu vaccine to adults in our walk-in immunization clinic until further notice. Until our supply is restored, please utilize local flu shot providers (see above).
Immunize Your Child
The Alexandria Health Department offers three walk-in clinics for ROUTINE childhood immunizations at its King Street location (H1N1 vaccine is NOT available at this clinic). The clinic hours are:
Mondays -- 1:00pm to 4:00pm *
Tuesdays -- 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Wednesdays -- 8:00am to 11:00am
Effective October 19, 2009, we are focusing on providing infant and toddler vaccines, vaccines required for school entry, and pneumococcal vaccine. We have not seasonal flu vaccine for adults or for children with private health insurance. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Please call (703) 838-4400 for further information.
Hurricane Season is Here
Hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2009, will run through November 30, 2009. To see what you can do to best prepare yourself and your family during hurricane season, please click here.
New Health Services Resource Guide
The Alexandria Health Department is pleased to offer this recently updated Health Services Resource Guide. The Guide, first developed in 2007 as part of the Healthy Communities Access Program (HCAP) as a collaborative effort of more than 20 local public and private providers, includes a complete listing of health care resources available to Alexandria residents, the services offered, and how to access them. We plan to update this Guide regularly to assist you in navigating our complex health care system.
9-5-2-1-0 for Health
Join the Campaign for Healthier Kids to learn about how to make a difference in the lives of children. The Northern Virginia Healthy Kids Coalition is a group of residents and organizations joined together to promote better health for children of all ages. Click here for a 9-5-2-1-0 fact sheet.
To help spread the message and learn more about the program, please visit www.tippingthescales.net.
How Should I Dispose of My Drugs Safely?
Many people wonder how to properly dispose of their prescription drugs. Never flush your prescription drugs down a toilet or place in the sink. Just return your unused drugs to the pharmacy, or follow these simple instructions:
Keep the medicines in their original containers. This will help identify the contents if they are accidentally ingested.
Cross our your name and prescription number for safety.
For pills: add some salt water to start dissolving them.
For liquids: add something inedible, like cat litter, dirt or ash.
Seal the container and secure with duct tape or packing tape.
Put the container in the trash as close to pickup time as possible. Do NOT put in the recycling bin.
For further information, please consult the following publications:
www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/drug_disposal062308.html
www.deq.virginia.gov/vpdes/Microconstituents.html
Health Department Warns Parents About the Dangers of Diluting Infant Formula
A recent news report about an infant becoming ill from consuming diluted infant formula should serve as a warning to parents that doing so is unsafe and could pose considerable health risk to your baby.
The Virginia Department of Health and the Alexandria Health Department are reminding parents to follow the manufacturer's directions when preparing their baby's infant formula and NOT add extra water. Babies who drink diluted formula can suffer from "water intoxication," whereby the baby's blood sodium levels become diluted, which can lead to seizures and possible death. Drinking watered-down formula also prevents your baby from receiving all of the nutritional benefits they need for growth and development.
Parents are urged to contact the Alexandria Health Department's WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program to inquire about their Special Supplemental Nutrition Program. Please call (703) 838-4400 ext. 332, 216, or 202.
Are You Ready?
In today’s world, your health and safety, and that of your family and friends, can be affected by a wide range of potential health emergencies. Knowing what to do in advance can better protect us all. Click here to learn more.
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