Author: emelymelendez1

Prince William Health District Announces New Health Director

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We are thrilled to announce that Luke Davies, MPH is the new Health Director for the Prince William Health District. He has a background in public health leadership, policy, and management from the University of Washington and has worked with global health programs for the majority of his career. The early part of his work experience focused on community development and disaster response in Central America and the Caribbean. He has supported programs and research in disaster management, disease surveillance, health systems strengthening, maternal newborn child health, HIV prevention and treatment, violence against children, and gender-based violence in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

Most recently he ran the Chelan-Douglas Health District in Washington state and was able to navigate the challenging COVID-19 response to help build a healthier district and community. He brings a wide range of skills to this position including language skills in English, Spanish, and French, as well as partner engagement and coordination along with organizational management experience in multi-cultural settings.

“I am excited to be working with the dedicated staff of Prince William Health District to support the diverse and culturally rich population of Northern Virginia," said Health Director Luke Davies, MPH. "I have been impressed by the work that has been done at the Health District as well as throughout the local county and cities to make this an incredibly vibrant place to live.”

Luke started working at the Health District on October 10th, 2024, and looks forward to engaging with local county and city leaders as well as community-based organizations, clinical partners, and local citizens to improve health for everyone in our jurisdiction and beyond. 

Get Your Free Flu Shot!

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Stay ahead of the flu this season! Join the Prince William Health District at our upcoming flu vaccine clinics September 25 and September 28 and get your FREE flu shot. Protect yourself and your community—don’t miss out!

WOODBRIDGE FLU CLINIC

  • Date: Wednesday September 25, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. *While supplies last.
  • Location: AJ Ferlazzo Building
  • Address:15941 Donald Curtis Dr., Woodbridge, VA 22191

Download the flyer.

MANASSAS FLU CLINIC

  • Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
  • Time: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. *While supplies last.
  • Location: Manassas City Farmer's Market
  • Address: 9024 Prince William St., Manassas, VA 20110

Download the flyer.

Notes:

  • No insurance or proof of residency required.
  • Wear a short sleeve shirt.
  • Fluarix Trivalent is recommended for persons aged 6 months - 64 years.
  • Ask your health care provider if Fluarix Trivalent is right for you.
  • A parent or guardian (18 years or older) must be present for minor consent.

For the 2024-25 season, the CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, receive an updated 2024-25 flu vaccine to reduce the risk of flu and its potentially serious complications this fall and winter. September and October are the best months for most people to get vaccinated because protection may decrease over time, and flu transmission typically peaks between December and February. If you miss the recommended window, receiving a flu vaccine later in the season can still be beneficial.

Contact Us:
vdh.virginia.gov/prince-william
703-792-7300
PWHDEPR@VDH.Virginia.gov

 

Cooling Centers in the Greater Prince William Area

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Stay Cool and Beat the Heat this Summer!

Fans alone aren’t enough in high heat + high humidity. Get inside in A/C or go to a public place like the library, museum, or shopping mall. Here's where to stay cool during a heat advisory, an excessive heat watch, or an excessive heat warning:

Prince William County (PWC)

  • All PWC Public Libraries during their normal business hours.
    • 12 locations including libraries in and near Manassas City.

City of Manassas

  • All PWC Public Libraries during their normal business hours.
    • 12 locations including libraries in and near Manassas City.

City of Manassas Park

  • City Hall, 100 Park Central Plaza, Manassas Park, VA 20111
    • Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    • Tues. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
    • Sat: 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
  • Manassas Park Community Center, 99 Adams St, Manassas Park, VA 20111
    • Mon. -Fri. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
    • Sat: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
  • Police Station, 329 Manassas Dr., Manassas Park, VA 20111
    • Open 24 hours /day

What You Should Know: Prince William Health District Newsletter

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Beginning Monday October 2nd, 2023, our information update will have a new look! During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), the Health District communicated timely information twice a week through information updates.

We will now move into a newsletter format. Urgent updates will still be communicated, in addition to discussing trending Public Health topics, news, and observances.

PWHD newsletters will be sent every other Monday, though exceptions may be made for timely updates.

IMPORTANT: Make sure our emails don’t land in your spam/junk folder. Add the PWHD newsletter to your safe senders list on Monday. Newsletters will be sent from Prince William Health District <vdh@public.govdelivery.com>

Folks previously receiving our email information updates will be automatically enrolled into the newsletter. If someone you know may want to subscribe, they can now do so through our sign-up link!

Prince William Health District Community Outreach Events

• Saturday September 30th from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Manassas Park Latino Fest, Costello Park, 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park, VA 20111
• PWHD is attending to provide information on Health District services and resources.

All upcoming events will be listed at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/prince-william/health-district-events/

PWHD Update Information to Be Discontinued as of September 29th, 2023.
Follow Us:

• PWHD Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/prince-william/3293-2/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrinceWilliamHD
• Nextdoor: https://nextdoor.com
• X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/PrinceWilliamHD
• PWHD Newsletter: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAVDHORCE/signup/38564

What You Should Know: Get Vaccinated This Fall

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The fall and winter are a time when viruses that cause respiratory disease frequently circulate more in the community. Take steps to protect your respiratory health from the Flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) by keeping up to date on your vaccinations.

Flu Vaccine Quick Facts:
• Everyone 6 months and older, with rare exception, should get the flu vaccine every year.
• You should get your flu vaccine no later than the end of October.
• Best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu and serious illness.
• Available at pharmacies, healthcare provider(s) or local health department
• Everyone can find a local appointment at vaccines.gov

2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine Quick Facts:
• Everyone 6 months and older should get the updated vaccine if it has been at least 2 months since your most recent vaccine.
• Targets the most common circulating variants for this fall/winter season.
• Best way to protect yourself and loves ones against severe COVID-19 illness.
• Available at pharmacies, healthcare providers(s) or local health department.
• Everyone can find a local appointment at vaccines.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (877-929-4682).

Every household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered to your home. Order today!

RSV Quick Facts:

RSV Vaccine for Older Adults
• Adults 60 years of age and older may receive a vaccine.
• Talk to your healthcare provider to see if vaccination is right for you.
• Protects against severe disease by over 80%.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more about the newly recommended RSV vaccine for pregnant people and RSV immunization for infants. For more information, consult your healthcare provider.

Prince William Health District Community Outreach Events

• Friday September 29th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Woodbridge Global Welcome Center, 15111 Blackburn Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191
• PWHD is attending to provide information on Health District services and resources.

• Saturday September 30th from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Manassas Park Latino Fest, Costello Park, 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park, VA 20111
• PWHD is attending to provide information on Health District services and resources.

PWHD Update Information Posted Monday and Friday:

What You Should Know: September is Food Safety Education Month

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Food safety isn’t just a buzzword, it is an essential part of our everyday life. Foodborne illnesses can affect anyone but with the right information and habits we can greatly reduce the risks. Food Safety Education Month serves as a reminder to protect ourselves and loved ones when it comes to the food we eat.

Follow the Four Steps to Food Safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill

  1. Clean: Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Also don’t forget to wash your cooking utensils.
  2. Separate: Avoid cross contaminating your food by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices away from other foods.
  3. Cook to the right temperature: Your food is safe to eat when it is cooked to the right internal temperature that is high enough to kill germs. Use a food thermometer to measure.
  4. Chill: Refrigerate your food properly. The Cold Food Storage Chart provides guidelines for storing food in the refrigerator and freezer.

For more information visit https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/prevention.html

Prince William Health District Community Outreach Events

  • Tuesday September 19th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Woodbridge Global Welcome Center, 15111 Blackburn Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191
  • PWHD is attending to provide information on Health District services and resources.

 

  • Friday September 22nd from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Woodbridge Global Welcome Center, 15111 Blackburn Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191
  • PWHD is attending to provide information on Health District services and resources.

PWHD Update Information Posted Monday and Friday:

What You Should Know: New 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine

Posted on by emelymelendez1

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone ages 6 months and up should get an updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine for fall/winter season. Read the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) full press release at: https://bit.ly/VDH-News-Release

The new vaccine targets the most common circulating variants for fall/winter season and helps protect against severe illness.

Have questions? You can call the VDH Call Center at 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, and more than 100 other languages.

The vaccine will be available at pharmacies, through healthcare providers, and the health department. The Prince William Health District is preparing for the arrival of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine at our clinics, and will release more information, when available.

Prince William Health District Community Outreach Events

  • Saturday, September 16th from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • La Feria Raices Latinas (Hispanic Heritage Festival)
  • Metz Middle School9950 Wellington Rd, Manassas, VA 20110
  • PWHD is attending to provide information on Health District services and resources.

All upcoming events will be listed at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/prince-william/health-district-events/

PWHD Update Information Posted Monday and Friday:

 

What You Should Know: Take Control in 1, 2, 3!

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This National Preparedness Month’s theme focuses on preparing older adults for disasters. Use the information listed below to consider what your needs may be and how to prepare for a disaster.

  1. Plan how you will communicate if you have a communication need. For example, communication cards to say you are deaf/blind or hard of hearing.
  2. Plan for food, water, and essentials for you and your pets or service animals.
  3. Plan for transportation if you need help evacuating.
  4. Include medicines, medical supplies, batteries, and chargers.
  5. Plan on how you will evacuate with assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers).
  6. Make copies of Medicaid, Medicare, or other insurance cards.

Visit https://www.ready.gov/ for more information.

What Should You Include in Your Emergency Preparedness Kit?

  • Contact information for important people and care providers.
  • A list of medicines you need, dosage instructions, and any allergies.
  • Contact information for your durable medical provider.
  • Need-to-know information for first responders and others who might need to help you.

Learn more about other items you should include in your kit at https://www.ready.gov/kit

Prince William Health District Community Outreach Events

  • Tuesday September 12th and Thursday September 14th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Woodbridge Global Welcome Center, 15111 Blackburn Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191
  • PWHD is attending to provide information on Health District services and resources.

 

All upcoming events will be listed at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/prince-william/health-district-events/

PWHD Update Information Posted Monday and Friday:

PWHD Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/prince-william/3293-2/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrinceWilliamHD
Nextdoor: https://nextdoor.com
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/PrinceWilliamHD