As the season for increased flu and other respiratory illnesses arrives, the Alexandria Health Department is providing guidance on vaccines and other recommendations for residents.
Flu season begins in October and continues until May, although activity may peak in the winter months. Other respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) also circulate during the season.
“You can help prevent the spread of illnesses by relying on normal healthy habits like getting vaccines, washing your hands, and staying home when sick,” the AHD said in a release.
Last season, visits for respiratory illnesses peaked at 25.1% of emergency room visits during the week of Dec. 27, 2025, according to the Virginia Department of Health. ER visits are currently tracking at 0% for RSV and below 0.5% each for Covid and the flu.
The AHD recommends flu vaccines for everyone 6 months and older at doctor’s offices and pharmacies. Uninsured residents can get the flu shot through the AHD on a sliding fee scale.
COVID-19 vaccines have been updated for the fall and are approved for people 6 months and older. Health officials highly recommend the vaccine for high-risk groups like young children, older adults, pregnant women and immunocompromised people.
The vaccine is available for insured patients through doctor’s offices and pharmacies, but the AHD is not currently administering the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, pharmacists cannot give the vaccine to children under 3, so families can contact their child’s healthcare provider or visit a CVS Minute Clinic for children 18 months and up.
RSV vaccines are typically administered one time for high-risk groups like older adults and pregnant women. Adults 75 and older plus adults 50 to 74 with certain health conditions or living in nursing homes are recommended to get the RSV shot. Pregnant women are advised to get it at 32 to 36 weeks, and babies born in the fall or winter may get it if the mother did not get vaccinated during pregnancy. The RSV vaccine is available at doctor’s offices and pharmacies but not the AHD.
As for testing, COVID-19 and flu tests are no longer available at the AHD or Alexandria Library locations due to state supply changes. Patients can still request tests from their healthcare provider.
Health officials advise residents developing respiratory symptoms to stay home and take a test. Those who test positive are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider. For those with high risk for severe illness, the AHD said some antiviral treatments can help if started early.
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