{"id":10479,"date":"2021-01-08T12:41:28","date_gmt":"2021-01-08T17:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/?page_id=10479"},"modified":"2026-10-13T08:57:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T12:57:31","slug":"press-releases","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/press-releases\/","title":{"rendered":"Press Releases"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Encourage Vaccinations for Respiratory Viruses 2026<\/h1> <\/header>\n\n \n
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: <\/strong>October 13, 2026<\/p>\n

Media Contact:<\/strong> Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

RICHMOND, Va.<\/strong> \u2013 Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage you to make appointments to get vaccines that can help protect against respiratory viruses.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow is a great time to protect yourself and those around you from respiratory infections like flu, COVID-19 and RSV\u201d said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Acting Director Dr. Melissa Viray. \u201cMake vaccines part of your fall preparations so that you don\u2019t have to miss any festive gatherings due to illness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Make vaccination appointments<\/h2>\n

Make a vaccination appointment at your primary care provider, a local pharmacy, or an RHHD clinic. Visit rhhd.gov\/connect-pc<\/a> to locate primary care providers that accept private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and patients without insurance.<\/p>\n

Virginia Vaccines for Adults (VVFA) providers offer no-cost immunizations to adults who are uninsured or underinsured. Use rhhd.gov\/vfa<\/a> to search for a nearby provider. Virgina Vaccines for Children (VVFC) providers offer no-cost vaccinations to children (younger than 19 years of age) who are uninsured or underinsured; Medicaid-eligible or Medicaid- enrolled; and\/or American Indian or Alaska Native. Use rhhd.gov\/vfc<\/a> to search for a nearby provider.<\/p>\n

RHHD offers vaccination appointments at its Cary Street<\/a> (804-205-3500), Henrico East<\/a> (804-652-3190), and Henrico West<\/a> (804-501-4522) clinics. Spanish bilingual staff are available at each location. Visit rhhd.gov\/iz<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

Flu<\/h2>\n

RHHD recommends that everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions<\/a>, get an influenza<\/a> (flu) vaccine every season.<\/p>\n

While the best time to get the flu vaccine is by the end of October, vaccination later in the season can still provide protection. Flu activity normally begins increasing in early October, often peaks in January or February and continues to late May.<\/p>\n

The updated flu vaccine includes protection against three strains of flu virus, including the influenza A(H3N2) subclade K virus that spread widely during the 2025-2026 season.<\/p>\n

COVID-19<\/h2>\n

COVID-19<\/a> vaccines are available for everyone six months and older and are especially recommended for those at high risk of severe disease, including older adults, infants, and pregnant people.<\/p>\n

RHHD recommends getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine, if eligible, because vaccine protection decreases over time.<\/p>\n

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)<\/h2>\n

All adults aged 75 years and older are recommended to receive a single dose of one RSV vaccine<\/a>. If you are 50-74 years old with a health condition, speak with your healthcare provider to decide if the RSV vaccine is the right choice for you. If an adult 50 years and older has already received an RSV vaccine in a previous season, they do not need a dose this season.<\/p>\n

All babies should be protected from severe RSV by one of two immunization options. A maternal RSV vaccine can be given during pregnancy, or an RSV monoclonal antibody can be given to your baby. These immunization products have been shown to cut the risk of hospitalization significantly for infants going into their first RSV season. Pregnant people and parents of newborns should talk with their healthcare providers about RSV immunizations.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the VDH Respiratory Illness webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.<\/em><\/p>\n

rhhd.gov<\/a> | henrico.gov\/health<\/a> | RHHD Facebook<\/a> | IG: @richmondcity_hd<\/a><\/p>\n\t