Health Department Calls for Immediate Flu Shots

The Virginia Department of Health is urging people who have not received influenza vaccinations this season to sign up as soon as possible. Health officials pointed to a rise in flu cases in recent weeks.

“Since mid-January there has been a notable increase in the number of people visiting a doctor with influenza-like illness and in the number of specimens testing positive for influenza," State Health Commissioner Karen Remley said in a press release. "A similar pattern is being seen across the Southeastern U.S."

The Centers for Disease Control and Surveillance reported 19 flu-related deaths in the United States as of Jan. 29, and two have been confirmed in Virginia. The Virginian-Pilot reported yesterday that one of those deaths was a child in Northern Virginia.

The VDH urges the elderly and those with underlying medical problems to contact their physicians for flu-related treatment.

Physicians and pharmacies are still issuing flu shots, and those who are not vaccinated still have time to avoid getting a case of end-of-winter flu. Flu season runs from December to March.

More information about the flu vaccination can be found at www.vdh.virginia.gov. This map shows locations providing flu shots in and around the greater Rose Hill area. 

Sabrina Barekzai, Capital News Service, contributed to this story.