Health Department

Be a local hero in 2025! Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers are on the front lines during emergencies, performing critical tasks like staffing vaccination clinics, shelters, and medication dispensing sites. Whether it’s a natural disaster, public health crisis, or other emergency, your efforts directly impact the safety and well-being of the Fairfax and Falls Church communities.  1. No Medical Experience? No Problem!  You don’t need to be a healthcare professional to make a difference in the MRC. In fact, you don’t need to have any sort of medical background at all. The Fairfax MRC welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds and skill sets. Whether you’re a teacher, retiree, or IT professional, your unique skills are valuable in supporting emergency responses and everyday public health efforts.  2. Gain Skills and Training  When you join the MRC, you’ll gain access to free, hands-on training in emergency response, personal preparedness, and other essential skills. These aren’t just useful for volunteering — they’re life skills you can use every day. You’ll feel confident and empowered, knowing you’re equipped to help during a crisis.  3. Be Part of Something Bigger  Join a national movement! The MRC was established in 2002 to strengthen America’s ability to respond to disasters. With over 800 units and 300,000+ volunteers nationwide, you’ll be part of a team that has made a lasting difference locally, regionally, and across the country.  4. Strengthen Your Community  MRC volunteers are everyday heroes helping to build community resilience. MRC volunteers don’t just assist during emergencies — they play a vital role in the Fairfax County Health Department’s regular operations. From programmatic tasks like data entry and community outreach to clinical support, there’s always a way to make a meaningful impact.  Whether it’s running flu clinics, educating the public on emergency preparedness, or supporting daily Health Department operations, your contributions will leave a lasting impact.  5. Build Lifelong Connections  Joining the MRC isn’t just about volunteering — it’s about community. You’ll connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for helping others, forming friendships and professional networks that can last a lifetime.   Ready to join the MRC? Learn more and begin your application at fairfaxcounty.gov/health/medical-reserve-corps.

As 2024 winds down, now is the time to make a plan focused on simple but effective ways to improve your health and wellbeing in the new year. By adopting small, sustainable habits, you can set the tone for a healthier and happier year.   Here are five tips to help you prioritize your health and wellbeing in 2025:  1. Keep up with your regular check-ups and screenings   Regular medical check-ups and screenings are crucial in detecting health issues early. Schedule an annual physical, dental visit and age-appropriate screenings like mammograms or cholesterol checks. If you missed any appointments last year, now is the time to catch up.  2. Stay up to date on vaccinations  Protect yourself and your loved ones by ensuring you are caught up on your vaccinations. This includes the annual flu shot, COVID-19 boosters and other vaccines recommended for your age group and lifestyle. Talk with your local healthcare provider, pharmacist or visit the Health Department website for information on recommended immunizations and where to get them.  3. Move more, sit less  Physical activity doesn't have to mean intense workouts. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, like brisk walking or cycling. If you’re new to exercise, start with small changes – like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or stretching during TV commercials. Remember, consistency is key, so try to find physical activities you enjoy and fit your lifestyle.  4. Eat more whole foods  A healthy diet fuels a healthy body. Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins into your meals while cutting back on processed foods and sugary drinks. If fresh produce isn’t accessible for you, opt for frozen to get the same nutritious value for less. Need meal ideas? Visit MyPlate Kitchen to find delicious and nutritious recipes that fit your lifestyle and dietary needs.  5. Prioritize mental health  Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Practice mindfulness, consider journaling or spend time doing activities you enjoy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional or take advantage of local resources like counseling services and support groups.   Improving your health doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on small, meaningful changes, you can create habits that will benefit you all year long.   Find more information about local health services and resources on the Health Department website. 

Dr. Benjamin Schwartz In the December 2024 edition of the Golden Gazette, Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, Director of Epidemiology and Population Health, Fairfax County Health Department, shared five things that you should know about COVID-19, flu, and RSV immunizations. 1. What are your biggest concerns about cold and flu season 24/25? My biggest concern about the upcoming respiratory disease season is that people will think that because the pandemic is over that COVID-19 is no longer a threat and will choose not to get vaccinated. We saw this last year when many people in all age groups, including older adults, got vaccinated for flu but not for COVID-19. In fact, COVID-19 remains a significant cause of hospitalization and death in older adults. At this time, we don’t know how severe the respiratory disease season will be, but we do know that vaccination is particularly effective in preventing serious illness and hospitalization. Please don’t go out only half protected. Get both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.   2. What observations do you have in our "post pandemic" world? “Post-pandemic” does not mean “COVID-19 free” or even “COVID-19 trivial.” COVID-19 remains a real threat, particularly to the health of older adults. Flu and COVID-19 illness can result in serious health consequences, disrupt holiday plans, and spread to loved ones and friends. Vaccines are safe and effective, widely available, and free for people who have health insurance or are on Medicare. [Low-cost options also are available for people who do not have health insurance through the local health department].  3. What is the reason for vaccine hesitance and what is your advice for people who feel that hesitancy?  Some people don’t get vaccinated because of concerns about side effects of vaccination but many people don’t get vaccinated because it’s simply not convenient or a high enough priority to make the effort. For the latter group, my message is that getting vaccinated is easier than you may think. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, for example at your local pharmacy, both vaccines can be given at the same time, and costs are covered by insurance and Medicare. Getting a serious respiratory illness would be far more inconvenient than making the effort to get vaccinated. For those who are concerned about a possible side effect, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she is concerned about your health and can provide the best science-based information to help you make a good decision – separating facts from misinformation that seem common or that we hear about so often lately. Know also that vaccine safety is not only studied before a vaccine is recommended, but studied afterwards as well, by independent experts in science, medicine, and public health. Over 600 million COVID-19 vaccinations have safely been given in the U.S. and over 13 billion worldwide. This experience provides strong data for the safety of COVID-19 vaccines (and flu vaccine has an even longer track record of safety). 4. What are the current recommendations for vaccines to prevent seasonal respiratory illnesses? Both COVID-19 and influenza (flu) vaccines are recommended for everyone older than 6 months old. These two vaccines are especially important for older adults who are at highest risk of more serious illness, hospitalization, and even death. COVID-19 and flu vaccines are updated each year because the viruses change, making previous vaccines less effective, and because the immunity from vaccination decreases over time. Getting the new vaccines ensures the best protection. RSV vaccine also protects against serious respiratory illness in older adults. This vaccine is recommended for everyone 75 years old and older, and persons between 60-74 years old who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease. Unlike COVID-19 and flu vaccines, RSV vaccine is currently only given once.  5. Who makes these recommendations, and can we trust them? Vaccine recommendations are made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) which is comprised of experts in science, medicine, and public health. While the committee advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ACIP members are independent experts who consider the evidence in meetings that are open to the public. Before a vaccine is considered for recommendation, it has been rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness in large clinical studies, considered by an independent advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is approved by the FDA. Following licensure and recommendation, vaccines continue to be carefully studied to ensure that they are safe and effective in routine use. One can be confident in vaccines because the process of investigation, approval, and recommendation is rigorous, transparent, and independent.  New CDC Guidance Recommends Second Dose COVID Vaccine for Some The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that individuals aged 65 and older, as well as those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months after their initial dose. This guideline, endorsed by CDC Director Mandy Cohen, highlights the increased risk of severe disease for these groups and emphasizes the importance of maintaining vaccination to combat COVID-19 and its variants. Additionally, individuals with weakened immune systems may receive additional doses based on shared decision-making with healthcare providers. Ongoing vaccination is crucial not only for reducing severe outcomes but also for minimizing the risk of Long COVID. Read more from the CDC.