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![Quote from Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu of the Fairfax Health Department: “Since late August, children have experienced the highest rate of COVID-19 infection in our community. While children are less likely to get serious disease than adults, some have been hospitalized and, like adults, suffer symptoms that can last for months. Children with asymptomatic infections can spread the virus to other household members. For these reasons, we encourage parents and guardians to get their child[ren] vaccinated as soon as possible.”](https://mcusercontent.com/6285c81a1416df81ae70592b9/images/6f7d3456-6ba5-7556-8474-6ed9845efa8f.jpg)
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It's Important to Vaccinate Children Ages 5 to 11
Read information from the Fairfax Health Department in Spanish, Chinese, Farsi, or Urdu.
More than 200 million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine have been safely administered in the United States and many million more around the world. Independent scientific advisory committees to both FDA and CDC have concluded that the benefits of vaccinating children 5-11 years old far outweigh the rare side effects that occur.
The dosage that children ages 5-11 years old receive is one-third of the amount given to those over age 12. Despite the lower dose, vaccinated 5- to 11-year-olds have similar antibody levels as adolescents and young adults who received the higher dose.
The vaccine for 5–11-year-olds is given in two doses, separated by 21 days. Children are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second dose. Side effects in this age group included pain or redness in the arm where the vaccine is given, fatigue, headache and muscle aches.
Vaccinations Help Keep Kids in School and Activities
The COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective in preventing children from getting and spreading the virus. Vaccination will help a child stay in school and reduce the risk of disrupted learning. Vaccinated children without symptoms do not need to quarantine and can remain at school even if they are exposed.
Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s pediatrician with questions. You may also visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus. The Virginia Department of Health has additional, up-to-date information on the background and details for the vaccination planning for children ages 5-11.
Where to Find the Child Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine
Please note: The dose for children ages 5 to 11 is a smaller amount than the dose for ages 12 through adult. Make sure you schedule an appointment for the child Pfizer dose.
- Appointments with the Fairfax Health Department: City of Falls Church residents may make appointments for this clinic, or any Fairfax Health clinic.
- Fairfax School-located Vaccine Clinics (open to City of Falls Church residents; students do NOT need to attend the school where a clinic takes place)
- Graham Road Elementary School, 2831 Graham Road, Falls Church
- Tuesday, December 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Pfizer; ages 5 to 11 only
- Walk-in (details here)
- Bailey's Community Center, 5920 Summers Lane, Falls Church
- Saturday, December 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Pfizer; ages 5 to 11 only
- Walk-in
- Shrevewood Road Elementary School, 7525 Shreve Rd, Falls Church
- Wednesday, December 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Pfizer; ages 5 to 11 only
- Walk-in (details here)
- Make an appointment at a grocery store, pharmacy, etc. through vaccines.gov or vacunas.gov
- Pediatrician Practices: Check with your child’s doctor!
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Free COVID-19 Test Kits at Fairfax County Libraries
As of 11 a.m. on December 3, all the free test kits were claimed. Fairfax Health says more will be available this week. Please call your local branch to ensure they have a supply. If you need a test, here is more information.
ALSO: These tests have an expiration date of the end of December and are therefore meant to be used immediately, not saved for a “just in case” scenario.
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Health Department Urges Boosters and Prevention Strategies to Reduce Spread of COVID-19 and Emerging Variants
Read more from Fairfax Health in Chinese, Farsi, or English.
The Fairfax Health Department joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in strengthening their recommendation on booster doses for individuals who are 18 years and older. Everyone aged 18 and older should get a booster shot either six months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or two months after their initial J&J vaccine. Getting vaccinated reduces your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death; it also helps reduce the spread of the virus in the communities.
The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. Omicron has been designated as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization as well as the CDC.
There is a lot of information that we do not yet know about Omicron. Researchers around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron and will continue to share the findings of these studies as they become available. Viruses constantly change through mutation so new variants of the COVID virus will continue to emerge. Some variants emerge and disappear while others may emerge and persist.
While vaccination remains the most important public health action to stop the spread of COVID-19, other public health strategies include:
- Wear masks consistently and correctly.
- Stay at least six feet from others.
- Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
- Wash hands often.
- Stay home if you are infected with COVID-19 or if you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
- Answer the call if contacted by a health department contact tracer (investigator) as part of a case investigation and contact tracing efforts.
- Get tested if advised by public health staff or healthcare providers, or if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms,
- Follow isolation or quarantine recommendations, which are critical steps to stop the spread of COVID-19.
- In areas with substantial and high transmission (which includes the Northern Virginia region), CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Review the CDC travel guidance before travelling to understand steps to take before, during and after travel.
As part of ongoing disease surveillance, CDC and the Virginia Department of Health are closely monitoring the emergence of the Omicron variant. Although there has been at least one case detected in the United States, at this time the Omicron variant has not been detected in Virginia. To see Variants of Concern that have been identified in Virginia, visit the VDH Variants Dashboard.
Where to Find a Booster Dose
- Appointments with the Fairfax Health Department
- Make an appointment at a grocery store, pharmacy, etc. through vaccines.gov or vacunas.gov
- Check with your primary care provider or doctor
- If you speak English as a second language, need an ASL interpreter by video, or have technical needs: Call Virginia Department of Health at (877) 829-4682 (TTY 711)
- ¿Necesitas vacunarte? Entérate cómo conseguir tu vacuna en Vaccinate.Virginia.gov o llamando al 1-877-829-4682 de 8am a 8pm. Traducción disponible en tu idioma. Usuarios de TTY pueden marcar al 7-1-1.
Mix and Match
Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine to receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others may prefer to get a different booster. Deciding which brand to use may depend on which brand is available and an individual benefit-risk assessment. Consider talking to a healthcare provider if you have concerns about which brand of booster to take.
The COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster are Free
Remember that the COVID-19 vaccine and booster are FREE for everyone!
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Getting the vaccine is not just for your -- it helps your family, your friends, and your community. Get vaccinated today, www.vaccines.gov
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The City of Falls Church is in a Substantial Level of Transmission of COVID-19. Community members should continue to take precautions by getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing masks, staying socially distant, and staying home when sick.
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Vaccine Data
The following is from the Virginia Department of Health and Fairfax Health Department.
City of Falls Church
| Date |
Doses Administered |
Received At Least One Dose |
Fully Vaccinated |
Third Dose or Booster |
Ages 5 to 11 |
| Dec. 6 |
25,462 |
11,806
(80.8% of population;
88.2% of adult pop.) |
10,238
(70% of population;
79.1% of adult pop.) |
4,009
(27.4% of population;
36.5% of adult pop.) |
902
(63.1% of that population) |
| Nov. 29 |
24,429 |
11,696
(80% of pop.;
87.4% of adult pop.) |
9,822
(67.2% of pop.;
78.9% of adult pop.) |
3,534
(24.2% of pop.;
32.2% of adult pop.) |
881
(61.6% of that pop.) |
| Nov. 22 |
23,787 |
11,580
(79.2% of pop.;
86.7% of adult pop.) |
9,736
(66.6% of pop.;
78.7% of adult pop.) |
3,091
(21.1% of pop.;
28.1% of adult pop.) |
851
(59.5% of that pop.) |
Fairfax Health District
Includes the City of Falls Church, City of Fairfax, Fairfax County, and towns within the county
| Date |
Doses Administered |
Received At Least One Dose |
Fully Vaccinated |
Ages 5 to 11 |
| Dec. 6 |
1,909,045 |
908,544
(76.8% of
population;
86.8% of
adult population) |
804,239
(68% of
population;
78.8% of
adult population) |
39,405
(36.8%
of that population) |
| Nov. 29 |
1,801,036 |
883,825
(74.7% of
pop.;
85.1% of
adult pop.) |
775,361
(65.5% of
pop.;
77.5% of
adult pop.) |
35,867
(33.5%
of that pop.) |
| Nov. 22 |
1,762,548 |
873,830
(73.8% of
pop.;
84.5% of
adult pop.) |
771,182
(65.2% of
pop.;
77.3% of
adult pop.) |
27,672
(25.46%
of that pop.) |
Virginia
| Date |
Doses
Administered |
Doses Administered
Daily Average |
Received at Least One Dose |
Fully Vaccinated |
Third Dose or Booster Dose |
Ages 5 to 11 |
| Dec. 6 |
13,028,051 |
39,158 |
6,389,124
(74.9%
of population;
86.5% of
adult pop.) |
5,603,369
(65.6% of population;
77.0% of
adult pop.) |
1,423,610 |
176,823
(24.5% of that population) |
| Nov. 29 |
12,676,613 |
34,629 |
6,339,264
(74.3%
of pop.;
88% of
adult pop.) |
5,530,226
(64.8% of pop.;
77% of
adult pop.) |
1,231,560 |
158,049
(21.9% of that pop.) |
| Nov. 22 |
12,452,709 |
38,628 |
6,276,276
(73.5%
of pop.;
87.1% of
adult pop.) |
5,499,704
(64.4% of pop.;
76.6% of
adult pop.) |
1,094,362 |
135,504
(18.7% of that pop.) |
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Case Data
The following is from the Fairfax Health Department and the Virginia Department of Health.
A statement from Fairfax Health regarding a drop in hospitalization data:
"During a recent review process, the Health Department identified approximately 200 reported COVID-19 cases, primarily from 2020, that were incorrectly marked as “hospitalized.” While these patients were seen at emergency departments for COVID-19 illness, they were not admitted to the hospital."
City of Falls Church
| Date |
Cases |
Hospitalizations |
Deaths |
# Cases per
100,000 People |
| Dec. 6 |
728 |
27 |
14 |
4,928.2 |
| Nov. 29 |
715 |
27 |
14 |
4,840.2 |
| Nov. 22 |
705 |
28 |
14 |
4,772.5 |
Fairfax Health District
Includes the City of Falls Church, City of Fairfax, Fairfax County, and towns within the county
| Date |
Total Cases |
Hospitalizations |
Deaths |
| Dec. 6 |
97,999 |
4,201 |
1,227 |
| Nov. 29 |
96,651 |
4,189 |
1,226 |
| Nov. 22 |
95,798 |
4,385 |
1,225 |
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COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments, Walk-In and Pop-Up Clinics
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OPTION #1
Go to vaccines.gov or vacunas.gov
Make an appointment at pharmacies (like CVS), grocery stores (like Harris Teeter), and doctor's offices through www.vaccines.gov or vacunas.gov. You can filter results by vaccine type (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson) and location.
OPTION #2
Make an Appointment through Fairfax Health Department
Register through VAMS. Appointments are required right now for the clinics at the Fairfax Government Center, Mt. Vernon Government Center, and Tysons Mall.
OPTION #3
Walk In to a Fairfax Health Clinic for Ages 12 and Older -- No Appointment Necessary
The list of clinics varies by week; check here for the complete list. Right now walk-in clinics are not open for ages 5 to 11. The clinics this week include:
CHILD DOSE ONLY: Willston Community Center, 6131 Willston Dr, Falls Church
- Monday, December 6 until 7 p.m.
- Pfizer; ages 5 to 11 only
- Walk-in
CHILD DOSE ONLY: Graham Road Elementary School, 2831 Graham Road, Falls Church
- Tuesday, December 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Pfizer; ages 5 to 11 only
- Walk-in (details here)
CHILD DOSE ONLY: Bailey's Community Center, 5920 Summers Lane, Falls Church
- Saturday, December 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Pfizer; ages 5 to 11 only
- Walk-in
CHILD DOSE ONLY: Shrevewood Road Elementary School, 7525 Shreve Rd, Falls Church
- Wednesday, December 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Pfizer; ages 5 to 11 only
- Walk-in (details here)
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How to Get a Replacement COVID-19 Vaccination Card or QR Code
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If you misplaced your card, or would like a QR code for your COVID-19 vaccination record, complete this process through the Virginia Department of Health.
Please note:
- Your vaccination record will only show COVID-19 immunizations.
- If you received vaccines out of state or if a federal agency administered your vaccines, they will not show up in this self-serve portal.
- This portal is not a “vaccine passport” but serves as a way to prove you were vaccinated for COVID-19.
For additional questions, email the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS) help desk at vaccinerecord@vdh.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA.
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Where to Find Important Information
- COVID-19 Questions through the Fairfax County Health Department (the City's health department)
- City of Falls Church Information
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You are receiving this e-mail because you are subscribed to the COVID-19 Update.
The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703-248-5003 (TTY 711).
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