Virginia State Health Commissioner, Leaders from Riverside Health and VHHA Encourage the Public to Get Flu Vaccines

Virginia State Health Commissioner, Leaders from Riverside Health and VHHA Encourage the Public to Get Flu Vaccines

October 15, 2026

State Health Commissioner, Leaders from the Virginia Department of Health, Riverside Health, and the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association Gather to Promote Flu Vaccines as a Way to Protect Public Health, Families, and Communities

RICHMOND, VA - Each year, the dawn of fall coincides with the arrival of the cold, flu, and respiratory illness season that spans October through May, with peak illness typically occurring from December through February.

During the moderately severe 2025-2026 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 32-57 million Americans contracted the flu, resulting in 15-25 million medical visits, 390,000-800,000 hospitalizations and 24,000-81,000 deaths. In addition to impacting public health, flu season also has a significant financial cost - a Global Healthy Living Foundation analysis found that the 2023-2024 flu season cost the U.S. economy nearly $29 billion in medical expenses and lost productivity.

Seasonal immunization against flu, as well as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), is an effective way for people to protect themselves and those around them from the harmful effects of illness during respiratory season. Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. B. Cameron Webb, officials with the Virginia Department of Health, leaders from Riverside Health, and the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA), shared that message during a joint event today in Newport News.

Dr. Webb was among those who rolled up his sleeve to receive a flu vaccine during the event held at the Riverside Internal Medicine Warwick facility to demonstrate that getting a flu vaccine is a quick, simple, and safe process. Everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions, should get a seasonal flu vaccine. Other healthcare leaders sharing that message at the Newport News event included Riverside Regional Medical Center President and Riverside Health Senior Vice President of the Acute Care Division Dr. Michael Oshiki, Riverside Medical Group Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sally Ryan, and VHHA President and CEO Sean T. Connaughton. A livestream video of the event can be viewed through this link.

"Flu, COVID-19, and RSV can have serious health impacts for our most vulnerable residents including older adults, young children, and anyone living with a chronic health condition," said State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb. "Every year, these respiratory viruses account for tens of thousands of visits to urgent care and emergency rooms, resulting in longer waits, missed work and school, and a health system stretched thin right when families need it most. But we have tools that work. VDH recommends vaccination for children and adults this season to help protect themselves and the people around them."

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and even death in some cases. Flu viruses can be detected year-round in the United States, however they are most common in the fall and winter. While anyone can contract the flu and develop serious illness, people at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications include young children, people 65 years and older, and people with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems. The flu can be spread to people through coughing, sneezing, or talking. People with the flu are most contagious in the first three to four days of their illness.

"Annual flu vaccines are a proven way to help protect against serious illness and reduce the impact of influenza on individuals, families and communities," said Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association President and CEO Sean T. Connaughton. "Getting vaccinated can also help reduce the strain on hospitals and healthcare providers during respiratory virus season. We encourage Virginians to make vaccination part of their fall health routine."

Added Dr. Michael Oshiki, President of Riverside Regional Medical Center and Senior Vice President of the Acute Care Division for Riverside Health: "Influenza can have serious consequences, particularly for older adults, young children and people with underlying health conditions. We see firsthand the difference that prevention can make when patients are protected before they become seriously ill. Getting vaccinated before flu activity increases is an important way to reduce that risk and help keep our communities healthy."

Vaccines are the best protection against respiratory viruses and widely available through healthcare providers, pharmacies, health departments, and other vaccination sites.

About VDH: The mission of the Virginia Department of Health is to protect the health and promote the well-being of all people in Virginia. VDH is comprised of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 35 local health districts. For more information, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/ or find VDH on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube. Learn more at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/.
About VHHA: The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association is an alliance of 118 hospitals and 27 health delivery systems that develops and advocates for sound health care policy in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to achieve excellence in both health care and health. Its vision is through the power of collaboration to be recognized as a driving force behind making Virginia the healthiest state in the nation. Connect with VHHA through Facebook, X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Riverside Health: Established in 1915, Riverside Health is a non-profit, integrated health network dedicated to serving the communities of Eastern Virginia. Riverside's network of services includes acute care, Riverside Medical Group, lifelong health, academic residency programs and fellowships and community benefit initiatives. Facilities include five acute-care hospitals with a Level II Trauma Center and NICU, as well as a mental health and recovery hospital with a dedicated psychiatric emergency department. Additional facilities include a physical rehabilitation hospital, and a critical illness recovery hospital operated in partnership with Select Medical. Riverside Medical Group is one of Virginia's largest and most diverse multispecialty group practices composed of more than 800 physicians and advanced practice providers in locations throughout the region. Specialties and services include primary care, internal and family medicine, urgent care, imaging and diagnostics, cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, orthopedics and sports medicine, women's health and more. Riverside Lifelong Health encompasses three active senior living communities, four lifelong health and rehabilitation facilities, The Martha W. Goodson Center and At Home services consisting of ChooseHome, in-home private care, home health, palliative care, and hospice care. Riverside's network of care also includes care also includes two medical wellness and fitness centers, comprehensive physical therapy services, the Riverside Foundation and the Riverside College of Health Sciences. Riverside employs more than 9,500 team members throughout Eastern Virginia. For more information on Riverside Health, visit riversideonline.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VHHA: Julian Walker VDH: Maria Reppas
Vice President of Communications Director of Communications
[email protected] [email protected]