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Quick! Catch-up on those school-required immunizations
If your student still needs immunizations, now's the time to get them before the 2024-2025 school year.
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Don't know where to start?
Find recommendations about immunizations including vaccine schedules and other school related information on VDH's Back to School website:
You can find school required immunizations at your local health department, pharmacy, or pediatrician:
- The Virginia Vaccines for Children (VVFC) Program ensures all children have access to routinely recommended free vaccines.
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Locate a VVFC provider near you and always call the provider first before going to the office🔎
- Prince William Health District immunization services are by appointment only. Call for appointment availability:
- ☎️ Manassas (703) 792-6300
- ☎️ Woodbridge (703) 792-7300
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Take Action!
Currently, fentanyl is being found in nearly all street drugs, including cocaine and heroin, and in fake pills being sold on social media and in communities across the country.
Fentanyl is now involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any other cause, including heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide, and other accidents.
Started by parents who have lost children to this crisis, National Fentanyl Awareness Day is supported by a coalition of experts, corporations, nonprofits, schools, families and elected officials who are working to empower our youth and their families.
We invite you to prepare and take action with us to help spread the word and save lives:
Watch &Talk
- Show this video to the young people in your life. In less than four minutes, it explains the dangers they face from illicit fentanyl and fake pills, and how to stay safe. Then use the discussion guide to get a conversation started.
Recognize & Respond
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Watch this video to learn the signs of an overdose and how to respond.
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Locate naloxone (Narcan) near you and be prepared to call 911.
Resources
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It Only Takes One - Protect your family, friends, and loved ones. Know how to stop an overdose.
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Curb the Crisis - Here to help build a path that leads away from opioid misuse.
Come and join us
The fentanyl crisis impacts all of us, and it is important to know the facts so we can keep our loved ones safe. That’s why PWC Community Services and the Prevention Coalition of Greater Prince William are hosting a virtual Lunch & Learn session featuring the 25-minute educational video called The New Drug Talk.
Join other community members in learning more about fentanyl and how to be part of the solution of saving lives. The event will include a virtual viewing of The New Drug Talk video and a panel discussion with local experts like Prince William Health District Community Engagement Specialist, Hope Sievers MPH, CHES.
Interested community members can register for one of the following The New Drug Talk events:
- Tuesday, May 7th from 11:30am-1:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 13th from 7pm-8:30pm.
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For more information contact Heather Martinsen at 703-792-7739 or email csbhwteam@pwcgov.org
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What you should know about measles
Measles is still common in many parts of the world. Unvaccinated travelers who get measles in other countries can bring the disease back to the U.S. and potentially expose you or your loved ones.
![It isn’t just a little rash Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. [Illustration of 6 boys and girls of various races]](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/VAVDHORCE/2024/04/9326473/5399491/cdc-measles-infographic_crop.png)
Did you know?
The best protection against measles is with two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine which provides 97% protection against measles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children who are not traveling outside the U.S should receive their 1st dose at 12-15 months of age and 2nd dose at 4-6 years of age.
Traveling abroad?
You are at risk of measles infection if you have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles in the past and you travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading. Prepare ahead of time and plan to be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before you depart.
Learn more about the MMR vaccine schedule for traveling outside of the U.S for:
- Infants 6-11 months,
- Children 12 months and older
- Teens and adults with no evidence of immunity
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Review your travel checklist:
🛂 Passport
🕶️ Sunglasses
🤳 Selfie Stick
💉 MMR Vaccine
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Resources
- Measles: It Isn’t Just a Little Rash - CDC Infographic in English and Spanish
Protect the skin you are in
Planning to bask in the sun all spring and summer? We got you covered! Whether you are out for a walk, riding bikes, going for a swim or simply going out it is important to always protect your skin from the sun.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. In Virginia, more than 2,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year.
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Take these steps to help prevent skin cancer
🧴 Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher
🔃 Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming, sweating, and toweling off
🌳 Seek shade especially during midday
🕶️ Wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing
Share and download this information as posters in English and Spanish made available by the Virginia Department of Health.
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Don't let mpox spoil your summer plans☀️
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Mpox is a rare contagious rash illness caused by the mpox virus. The mpox virus belongs to the same group of viruses as smallpox. It is primarily spread by close personal contact with someone who has mpox.
Protect yourself by
👉 Learning more about mpox
👉 Frequently washing your hands
👉 Practicing safer sex
And getting prepped for Pride!
🌈 Get the mpox vaccine
🌈 Get tested for STIs (including HIV)
🌈 Learn about PrEP for HIV
doses of the mpox vaccine are the best protection. Even if you got your first dose a long time ago, you can still get the second dose. Mpox vaccines are available now for free at your local health department.
Resources
- Prince William Health District mpox webpage
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Virginia Department of Health (VDH) mpox webpage
- "What You Need to Know" about mpox vaccines flyer in English and Spanish
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VDH Resource Connections - Connect to mpox, HIV, STI, and other related services you may need.
- If you need any help, please call the Virginia Disease Prevention Hotline at (800) 533-4148 or by email at hiv-stdhotline@vdh.virginia.gov. The Hotline is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
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Protect yourself and your loved ones
Vaccines are available to help protect against severe illness, and hospitalization caused by all three of the major respiratory viruses - flu, COVID-19, and RSV.
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Updated COVID-19 Vaccine: Everyone 6 months and older should get a 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.
Flu Vaccine: Everyone 6 months and older, with rare exception, should get the flu vaccine every year.
The COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine can be given at the same time, if eligible and timing coincides.
Learn about the RSV immunizations for older adults, pregnant people, and infants.
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Stop by and say hello!👋
Our Community Engagement team is excited to see you at local community events this spring and summer! We will be in attendance at various events providing information about Health District services and resources.
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