 June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and contributions of LGBTQ+ communities through events, gatherings, and displays of support throughout the DMV. As we recognize the achievements and honor the struggles faced by our family members, friends, and neighbors, it is also an opportunity to highlight the importance of health and well-being year-round. While Pride Month brings visibility to LGBTQ+ health issues, regular preventive care, routine screenings, mental health support, and healthy lifestyle choices remain essential every month of the year. By staying informed and connected to healthcare resources, LGBTQ+ individuals can take important steps toward maintaining their health and thriving in their daily lives.
As warmer weather arrives and more people spend time outdoors enjoying parks, trails, and neighborhoods, the Health Department reminds residents to stay alert around wildlife and unfamiliar animals. While most animals avoid human contact, those that appear unusually aggressive, disoriented, sick, or unafraid of people may be exhibiting signs of rabies or another illness. Residents are urged to keep a safe distance from animals acting strangely and to report concerning behavior to local animal control authorities. This reminder comes following the recent discovery of a cat that tested positive for rabies in our community.
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 As families prepare for a new school year, making sure children are up to date on required vaccinations is one of the most important steps they can take to protect their health and support a safe learning environment. School vaccination clinics provide a convenient opportunity for parents and guardians to ensure their school-aged children receive recommended immunizations before classes begin.
FCHD has scheduled Back‑to‑School Clinic hours starting July 31, when students can get required vaccines at public health centers throughout the Fairfax Health District. While walk‑ins are welcome, scheduling appointments early can help families avoid last-minute stress, secure preferred appointment times, and provide peace of mind knowing their children are ready for a healthy and successful school year. Click the button below to see the full schedule and locations.
 The Fairfax County Health Department recently announced that the last day for services at the West Springfield Public Health Center (located at 8136 Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield) is June 12, 2026. Services are being transitioned to the newly opened Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center easily accessible to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station and several bus lines.
The Franconia Springfield Public Health Center is a state-of-the-art facility that provides a wide array of public health services including immunizations, pregnancy testing and maternity intake, tuberculosis (TB) testing and treatment, HIV and STI testing, Newcomer Health Screenings, and referral assistance. Other services include vital records (issuance of birth, death, and marriage certificates) and enrollment into the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program.
Appointments can be made by calling 703-246-7100, TTY 711. Walk-in hours are also available for select services.
As summer begins and families head outdoors to enjoy warmer weather, longer days, and seasonal activities, it is important to keep safety in mind. Whether spending time at the pool, traveling, attending community events, or enjoying backyard gatherings, simple precautions can help prevent injuries and illness. The Health Department encourages parents, caregivers, and residents of all ages to follow basic summer safety tips to ensure a healthy, safe, and enjoyable season for everyone.
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With cases of measles continuing to be identified across the Commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has launched a new measles dashboard, showing key information to help Virginians see measles trends, understand the impact, and know their risk of exposure as measles cases increase. To date in 2026, VDH has reported 77 cases.
The dashboard shows how many measles cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have been reported. You can also see case numbers by age, health district, and other key factors.
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High school students participating in the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program (PHYAP) enjoyed a day out of school recently to engage with FCHD staff at Government Center. The PULSE event was designed to provide students with an interactive introduction to public health through breakout sessions, career exploration, and community health engagement activities. Breakout sessions featured elements of Health Department operations, including Community Engagement & Outreach, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness & Response, and Environmental Health. Students also participated in a showcase of their community health projects, one of the required elements of the Youth Ambassador program.
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