NoVA Doctors: Still Time to Get Flu Shots for Free

Community News - Community News

Written by Administrator

Thursday, 04 February 2010 09:24

Our community is experiencing an unprecedented flu season because of a new type of influenza -- the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

The H1N1 flu is a serious disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between mid-April and November 14, 2009, 47 million people in the United States were infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu, more than 200,000 people were hospitalized, and over 9,800 people died.

Despite the decline in the number of influenza cases, the current level of illness remains significantly higher than normal for this time of year. Influenza is unpredictable and we may see additional waves of illness. Influenza activity typically peaks in February, so it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

The Fairfax County Health Department will be holding an H1N1 vaccine clinic at Dar al Hijrah on Friday, February 5th, 5 pm - 9pm. We encourage all Muslims in the county to come and get vaccinated. The vaccine will be provided and administered at no cost.

Please do all that you can to promote this very important clinic to your community. Please advertise through your school programs, websites, e-mail list servs, posters, flyers, verbal announcements after each and every salaat including salaat ul jumma. During your announcements please make sure to also tell people that if they are not able to make it to the vaccination clinic at Dar al Hijrah that the health department offers free H1N1 vaccine on a daily basis in its five district offices.

[Source: Zubair Saeed, M.D., Community Health Specialist, Fairfax County Health Department]