As previously announced, after Dec. 17, Fairfax County COVID-19 clinics at the Government Center and Hyland South County Center will no longer be operational. Vaccines are widely available throughout our community and residents can seek COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters at pharmacies, providers offices, groceries, urgent care centers, or other sites throughout the community.

Residents who are unable to access a booster vaccination may call the Fairfax County Call Center at 703-324-7404 to make an appointment at one of the Health Department’s district office clinics.

Given the current early seasonal surge of flu, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses in circulation, getting boosted against COVID-19 now is an important step to staying healthy this holiday season. Take advantage of this time window to stop by the Fairfax County Government Center or Hyland South County Center before Dec. 17. Clinic dates/times are posted on the health department’s website.

Additionally, due to low turnout, Fairfax County’s COVID-19 testing partner, Curative, announced they will cease operations throughout the county after Thursday, Dec. 15. Home testing kits and opportunities are now widely available in stores, medical offices, and other locations throughout the community. If anyone is unable to access a test, they are encouraged to contact the Fairfax County Call Center at 703-324-7404 to discuss options that may be available.

Booster Vaccinations Remain Important

Getting boosted will reduce your chance of getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying. Booster doses refresh your immunity against COVID-19. They are necessary because protection received from original doses goes down over time. The new (bivalent) boosters not only update that protection, but also add a new shield against the omicron variants which are currently circulating in our community.

The CDC recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated booster if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was a final primary series dose, or an original booster. Even if you’ve had COVID-19 previously, booster doses are still strongly recommended. Check the Centers for Disease Control’s Booster Tool to determine if it’s time for your booster.

In the Fairfax Health District, just one in five children between the ages of six months to five years has been vaccinated against COVID-19; and only one in four people eligible to receive the new bivalent booster dose, has gotten it.

With the approaching holidays and winter weather gatherings indoors, vaccination will be important to keeping our community safe.

Additionally, the Virginia Department of Health offers community group vaccination events upon request, as resources permit. Make a request or learn more about these opportunities here.

Test After Exposure or if Showing Symptoms of COVID-19

Staying away from others when ill remains critical to stopping the spread of the viruses like COVID-19, RSV, and flu.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, getting tested remains important and is the only way to know if you have COVID-19 or another virus. And knowing when it is the right time and how to test is also important, see the testing guidance. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) provides an online Testing Locator resource to help residents find drive through, pediatric, and rapid are among the categories, of testing. If your test is positive for COVID-19, see information and recommendations about other actions to take.

Stay informed

As of Friday, Dec. 30, COVID-19 information directed towards residents in the Fairfax Health District, will be available on the Health Department’s website. The County’s Emergency Blog will return to emergency information content surrounding weather, roads, and preparedness. Blog followers are encouraged to follow the health department for updates and information on their webpage or social media channels: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

In the Fairfax Health District, just one in five children between the ages of six months to five years has been vaccinated against COVID-19; and only one in four people eligible to receive the new bivalent booster dose, has gotten it. Click To Tweet