Thursday, July 30, 2009 5:08 PM CDT
Health Happenings
The Coles County Health Department has released the August clinic schedule. The following clinics are available to county residents. Please call the Coles County Health Department at 348-0530 to schedule an appointment in Charleston and 234-2500 to schedule appointments in Mattoon.
New Immunization Clinics
The Coles County Health Department is now offering immunizations Monday through Friday at both the Charleston and Mattoon sites. For an appointment at the Charleston office call 348-0530 and for an appointment at the Mattoon office you may call 234-2500.
Back To School
Immunizations
It’s never too early to be thinking about back to school immunizations. Contact the health department if your child needs immunized. Immunization requirements for pre-school and kindergarten (ages 4-6) are typically the following: 5th DTap; 4th IPV; 2nd MMR, 2nd Varicella; Hep A (2 doses six months apart — not required but recommended); and proof of one lead screen. Upon entering high school children will need a Tdap immunization. Call 348-0530 for an appointment in Charleston and 234-2500 for an appointment in Mattoon.
Immunization Program
The human papillomavirus vaccine, or HPV vaccine, helps protect young women against cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV vaccine is routinely recommended for girls ages 11-12 years, but can be given to girls as young as 9. It is important for girls to get the HPV vaccine before becoming exposed to the human papillomavirus. For these girls, the vaccine can prevent almost 100% of disease caused by the 4 types of HPV targeted by the vaccine. The rotavirus vaccine, which helps protect infants against severe gastroenteritis (severe diarrhea, vomiting, and fever); and the meningococcal vaccine which protects against meningitis are all currently available for $10 for children under 18. We provide most other childhood vaccines as well. Please check out our website at http://www.co.coles.il.us/cchd/index.html for more information.
Please note: For children (birth to 18years), a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child to the clinic. Recommended childhood vaccines are available through our vaccines for children program for $10 each, but no child is ever turned away due to inability to pay. Please call 348-0530 for a vaccination appointment.
National Immunization Awareness Month
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, an annual observance to highlight the importance of immunizations. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild polio virus in the U.S. and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, today tens of thousands of people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and continue throughout life. Being aware of the vaccines that are recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults and seniors, and making sure that we receive these immunizations, are critical steps in protecting ourselves and our communities from disease. Because children are particularly vulnerable to infection, most vaccines, are given during the first five to six years of life. Other immunizations are recommended during adolescent or adult years and, for certain vaccines, booster immunization are recommended throughout life.
Vaccines against certain diseases that may be encountered when traveling to specific regions outside of the U.S. are recommended for travelers. Vaccine-preventable diseases are at an all-time low in the United States. However, these diseases still exist and continued vaccination is necessary to protect everyone from potential outbreaks. It is important to keep immunizing.
Immunizations are extremely safe. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before being approved for public use and monitored carefully by doctors, researchers, and public health officials. Please contact the CCHD at 348-0530 if you have any questions regarding immunizations.
International Travel
Persons planning to travel internationally are encouraged to contact the Health Department to learn which, if any, vaccinations are recommended or required for entry to foreign countries. Most are available through the Health Department. A free, individualized travel consultation is also available and contains travel tips for specific countries, country information, a list of medical facilities available, and U.S. Embassy / Consulate locations. The Coles County Health Department is a certified Yellow Fever Center.
Please call 348-0530 at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect. Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still call the health department for needed vaccines and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.
Illinois Diabetes
Control Program
The Coles County Health Department offers a free informational based program that will keep participants updated on important issues for people in our community who are living with diabetes and services available to them. Participants receive a bi-monthly newsletter and updates on available services, such as foot care, vision care, flu and pneumonia clinics and referrals. Please call Misti if interested in this program at 348-0530. You may also visit our website, http://www.co.coles.il.us/cchd/index.html under the Health Education tab on the left hand side, for further information.
Wellness Department
To aid in the detection of high cholesterol, the health department offers community scre4enings that include total lipid panel cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar. A physician’s order is not required. Fasting for 12 hours is necessary for the cholesterol test. Call 348-0530 to schedule an appointment.
Our wellness staff will also continue to conduct blood sugar and hemoglobin testing as well as blood pressure, height and weight measurements. The blood sugar and hemoglobin tests cost $5 each and require only a finger stick. All Wellness checks are offered on an appointment only basis. Call 348-0530 to schedule an appointment.
The results will be sent to the client and clients are encouraged to share the entire result with their physician. The results will reflect the average blood sugar level for 100-120 day period before the test.
Testing costs $15 and fasting is not required. Call 348-0530 to schedule an appointment.
Family Planning
The Health Department Family Planning Center offers supplies and education on all methods of birth control including birth control pills, the three-month shot, and others. Other routine services include: Pelvic exam, pap test, breast exam, urinalysis, hemoglobin, pregnancy testing, and certain STD screenings. Public Aid medical cards are accepted. All services and contraceptive supplies are provided on a sliding-fee scale according to family size and income level. Day and evening appointments are available. To become a client, call 348-0547.
Family Planning
Clinic Schedule
Location: Coles County Health Department, 825 18th St., Charleston
August 6 & 20 Call 348-0547 to make an appointment
Anonymous HIV Counseling and Testing
Anonymous HIV Counseling and Testing is available by appointment. The new Orasure method of testing is now being used, which does not require a blood draw. Call 348-0530 to make an appointment.
WIC
WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for pregnant or breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5 who may be identified as being at a medical or nutritional risk. Participants must live in the county and meet income guidelines. Food provided at no cost may include formula, juice and cereal for infants, and milk, juice, cheese, eggs and cereal for women and children. Participants use food vouchers at local stores that accept WIC. Call for an appointment at 348-0526.
Blood Lead Screening
Blood lead screenings are available for children ages 6 months through 6 years of age. Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common and preventable pediatric health problems in the United States.
All Illinois children need a lead screening before entering daycare, preschool and kindergarten. To determine your child’s risk for lead poisoning or to schedule a screening, call 348-0530. Lead screenings cost $35 (free to WIC and Medicaid Clients).
Healthy Families 4 Life
The next informational meeting for the Health Families 4 Life (formerly the Healthy Child Task Force) will be Aug. 10, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Health Department. Anyone in the community who is interested in participating is welcome to attend. Our goals are to discuss ways to help combat childhood obesity and other family health issues that arise in our community. Contact Jeni Huckstep at 581-7912 or Misti Farler at 348-0530.
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