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For More Information Contact

• Robert Parker, public information officer, Western Region, 540-381-7100, x 151 or 540-580-2960
• David Linkous, emergency planner, New River Health District, 540-381-7100, x 126

VIRGINIA TECH AND THE NEW RIVER HEALTH DISTRICT HOST WALK-UP FLU CLINIC DEC. 3

(Blacksburg, Virginia) – The Virginia Tech Office of Emergency Management and the New River Health District will conduct a seasonal flu vaccination clinic on Friday, December 3, 2010. The clinic will be open to the general public and will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rector Field House. Parking will be available adjacent to the softball field.

This clinic is for adults and children aged three years and up. The vaccine will be available in both nasal mist and injectable forms. To facilitate receiving the vaccination, please wear clothing that is loose around the arms so that the flu shot may be easily given in the upper arm.

For those with healthcare insurance, the insurance will be billed; however, there will not be an additional charge over what the insurance provider will pay. Those without insurance will receive the vaccine without charge.

Influenza, or “the flu,” is a highly-contagious respiratory disease. Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue. The flu season in southwest Virginia usually peaks in January and February. Each year in the United States approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu illness, and flu-related deaths range from 3,000 to 49,000 each year -- averaging 24, 000 -- over the last three decades.

Annual vaccination is especially recommended for the following high-risk groups:

• Persons at high risk for complications, including children ages six months to five years, pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and people who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications, including household contacts of persons at high risk, household contacts and caregivers of children less than six months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated), and health care workers.

For more information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov or call the New River Health District at 540-381-7100.