The Jewell County Health Department plans to have outreach influenza vaccine clinics this upcoming season in Burr Oak and Esbon. Flu clinic dates and other information will be announced on The Jewell County Health Department Facebook page, website and posted on flyers in the community.
This year at the Corn Show in Jewell, the health department will offer RSV (adults only), COVID (Moderna) pending shipment, pneumonia and influenza vaccines. The department hopes to have COVID vaccine available by the Corn Show. If you are interested in a booster dose, call the health department to be placed on the prebooking list.
Car seats have been offered at the Corn Show in the past, this year the department is experiencing supply issues, and they will not be offered at this time.
The RSV vaccination guidelines for this year have been updated. If you are an adult who received RSV vaccination last year, you are considered up to date. Routine RSV vaccination is recommended for those who are 75 years or older. Ages 60 to 74 can be vaccinated if they have a chronic health condition with an increased risk for disease. The department is currently only vaccinating adults, if you are pregnant or your infant needs vaccination, contact your primary care provider.
The Jewell County Health Department is a participant in the 317 Program. Certain vaccines are available for uninsured adults. Contact the department if you have questions or in need of vaccination and have no insurance.
Reminder of guidelines for an active COVID infection, which falls under all general respiratory illness criteria. Follow these prevention steps to help the spread of respiratory illnesses in the community:
• Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
• Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.
When people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others. For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness. The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication.
Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and getting tested for respiratory viruses.
Be aware of increasing pertussis cases (whooping cough) in the state and contact the department to check on adult vaccination history. You may need an updated Tdap vaccine, which covers tetanus and whooping cough.
The health department continues to test for COVID and Influenza A &B strains. Home test kits are available for those who wish to home test. There has been a recent uptick in testing in this area.
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