NORFOLK, Va. — The numbers of RSV, influenza and COVID-19 infections remain low as we head into the winter season, according to the Virginia Department of Health. However, that number is expected to increase in the coming weeks.
On Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, Sentara Health will host free drive-thru vaccine clinics at all 13 locations in Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina.
Our clinic is open to people over the age of 18. No reservations are necessary; vaccinations will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Video: Health officials expect new vaccines to arrive in September as coronavirus cases rise: VDH
Health officials expect coronavirus cases to rise this summer, which is when new vaccines arrive.
Health experts say now is the best time to get the flu vaccine.
Elena Diskin, respiratory disease program manager for the Virginia Department of Public Health, said it’s important to stay informed about vaccines because the virus is changing.
“This means that the coronavirus continues to mutate fairly rapidly, and the best way to restore immunity with a vaccine that is more compatible with the virus currently circulating is to get the latest, updated vaccine. ”Diskin said. “It’s the same with influenza. We update the influenza vaccine every year to best match what we expect to be circulating, and we keep track of what’s going on around the world and what’s circulating. We’re doing a lot of surveillance around the world to see if there is a better match to circulating influenza viruses.”
Video: Norfolk pharmacy sees increased demand for coronavirus vaccine as case numbers trend upward
Norfolk pharmacies are seeing increased demand for COVID-19 vaccines.
Diskin told News 3’s Jay Green that flu symptoms (fever, aches and chills) usually appear sooner than cold symptoms like sneezing, coughing and runny nose.
Additionally, Diskin told Green that rhinovirus and enterovirus cases are increasing in the region, which can lead to serious illness in children.
“So the best way to prevent these is to wash your hands really well, practice really good respiratory etiquette, cover your coughs and sneezes, and remind your children to wash their hands often as well,” Diskin said. .
