Stay Cool When Attending Events This Week
With a warm week ahead of us and a number of fair events planned, health departments are stepping up efforts to provide hydration and areas to cool off during local fairs. The Pulaski County Health Department will provide misting tents during the Northern Indiana Power from the Past show planned for this week, giving people a chance to cool off and relax out of the sweltering summer heat.
Terri Hansen, office manager at the Pulaski County Health Department, said the misting tents provide visitors with cool water and shade for those who feel overheated and need to cool down.
Pulaski Health Dept. Offers Free Mosquito Wipes, Repellant
Most people who get infected with West Nile virus do not show any symptoms, though some people develop a mild illness called West Nile Fever. This mild illness gets better on its own; no treatment is necessary. However, a small number of people – that is, less than 1 in 100 – who get infected with West Nile virus develop severe symptoms such as headache, high fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, muscle weakness, tremors, convulsions, coma, and paralysis.
Pulaski County Commissioners Receive Update on AED Purchases
District 2 Task Force Tests HVAC Equipment
A few members of the District 2 Task Force were in the Winamac Town Park Wednesday morning to do some testing of HVAC equipment. Sherry Fagner from the Pulaski County Health Department explains that they were trying to remedy the air system.
“We are testing some new HVAC systems and some duct work with the systems we currently have. We try to be prepared when something happens and this is part of our plans to get them to where we want them in the field. Can we go right now? Absolutely. But, we want to make sure the systems we have are the best they can be,” explained Fagner.
“When Disaster Strikes” Tour Begins Tuesday in Pulaski County
Pulaski Council Approves $6000 for Health Dept. Shingles Shots
The shingles vaccine offered by the Pulaski County Health Department is flying off the shelves, and Health Department Manager Terri Hansen requested an appropriation from the county council in the amount of $6000 to continue purchasing the popular vaccine as well as that for hepatitis B. Hansen told the council that they gave their last shingles shot this week, after giving an average of about 10 shots per month to county residents.
“We have been giving a lot of shingles vaccines to people over the age of 50. Most of the local doctors here have been recommending that to their patients, and we have been, I’d say, getting rid of at least 10 shingles vaccines a month – and they’re quite costly. They’re $175 each, and we’re not making money on them, but it is a great community service so we’re amazed at how many people are continuing to call and they’re always on a waiting list for this vaccine,” said Hansen.
Pulaski County Health Dept. to Purchase Mobile Cooling Centers
Fagner said the health department has to justify the purchase in order to obtain the grant, and said they justified the purchase by stating that it could be employed in a possible distribution site for medical countermeasures. That is, if the department ever offered a drive-through or a walk-through, the cooling centers would be useful.
Pulaski Co. Health Dept. Offers Walk-in Flu Shot Clinic This Week
Walk-in flu shot clinics have been scheduled by the Pulaski County Health Department.
The clinic hours are Oct. 2–4 from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., and Oct. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon and 1–7 p.m. ET at the Pulaski County Health Department.
Flu vaccines will be $20 for adults and $20 for children. Insurance companies will not be billed. Parents can inquire if your child qualifies for publicly funded vaccines through the state. Call the Pulaski County Health Department at (574) 946-6080.
West Nile Virus Detected in Pulaski County
The West Nile virus has been detected in Pulaski County.
Four out of ten mosquito pools located near the Winamac Waste Water Treatment Plant have tested positive for the virus.
Pulaski County Health Department Health Nurse Andrea Keller urges residents to prevent mosquito problems around their home or neighborhood by disposing of any water-filled containers around the property and removing leaves and debris from gutters. Plastic wading pools and wheel barrows should be turned over when not in use. Don’t allow water to become stagnant in birdbaths and stock ornamental ponds with fish.
Pulaski Co. Walk-in Flu Shot Clinics Planned For Early October
Walk-in flu shot clinics have been scheduled by the Pulaski County Health Department.
The clinic hours are Oct. 2 and 4 from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., and Oct 3 from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 7 p.m. ET at the Pulaski County Health Department.
Flu vaccines will be $20 for adults and $20 for children. Insurance companies will not be billed. Parents can inquire if your child qualifies for publicly funded vaccines through the state. Call the Pulaski County Health Department at (574) 946-6080.
Pulaski County Health Dept. Urges Caution When It Comes to Bats
Terri Hansen of the Pulaski County Health Department and Animal Control Officer Debra Tiede approached the county commissioners this week with an urgent message to county residents. Hansen says the number of calls concerning bats that have managed to get inside peoples’ homes has increased this year, with three bats submitted for rabies testing within the last five weeks.
She says it’s not yet time to panic, but it is time for people to become educated about the risk of being bitten by an infected bat. Hansen encourages people to close up their chimneys and fireplaces when they are not in use to prevent bats from entering the home.
Pulaski County Police Find Wanted Man Underneath House
A Francesville man was captured after police found him hiding underneath his house.
On Tuesday, February 21st, Pulaski County officers were notified of the whereabouts of Randall Grigsby who was known to have a warrant out for his arrest. The anonymous caller reportedly said he was out of control and that he was on something.
Officers went to Grisby’s house and one resident said she thought Grigsby had left the residence just moments ago. Officers searched the residence and didn’t find him. Officers searched a vehicle on the premises and found drug paraphernalia between the driver’s door and the seat. The item was seized and put into evidence. However, Grigsby was not hiding in the vehicle.
Pulaski County Health Department to Conduct Insurance Checks after March 1st
The Pulaski County Health Department will be doing insurance eligibility checks prior to vaccinations beginning next week.
When you go to the Pulaski County Health Department, officials will be asking for the name of your insurance company and Health Plan ID number when appointments are made. An insurance card and Social Security Number will be required at appointment time.
For those who are eligible, the Health Department will continue to bill Medicaid. The following insurance plans are currently eligible: Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Dunn and Associates, Humana, Medicare B, Medicare Railroad, Patoka Valley Health Care Co-op, Southeastern Indiana Health Organization, United Healthcare, and UMWA.
Pulaski County Health Department to work with VaxCare
The Pulaski County Health Department is working with VaxCare to administer a program that will allow the Department to continue vaccinating insured patients.
The Indiana State Department of Health announced last year that the Immunization Program would no longer support insured patients. This practice will be effective March 1st of this year for some health departments.
Pulaski County Health Department Signs up for VaxCare
Billing changes are on their way to the Pulaski County Health Department. Terri Hansen of the Health Department said that they have signed up for VaxCare, a company who will be not only providing them with vaccines and other supplies, but will handle their insurance billing as well.
Changes in Immunization Requirements Take Effect January 1st, 2012
Immunization eligibility requirements are changing as of January 1st, 2012.
All childhood immunizations are administered by the local health departments for free of charge, but due to funding constraints, eligibility requirements are changing. The State will only be providing childhood vaccines to the local health departments that have patrons who are on any type of Medicaid insurance, who are American Indian/Alaskan Native children, and those who are underinsured. “Underinsured” is defined as having no insurance, insurance that does not cover vaccines or the insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount.
Pulaski County Health Department to Help Food Pantry for the Holidays
The Pulaski County Health Department is teaming up with Pulaski County Human Services to fight hunger this holiday season.
If you bring a non-perishable food item to the Pulaski County Health Department, you will receive $3.00 off for each child administration fee for vaccines now through November 30th. A non-perishable food item is needed for each vaccine the child is receiving to be discounted at the time of your appointment.
Starke County Health Department to Hold Flu Clinics Soon
We’re entering into the fall season and there has been a lot of information about the flu as we get into the flu season.
Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch told WKVI that he is ordering flu shot supplies and he will hold evening flu clinics so you can get your flu shot for the season. When he gets the supply, he will also be able to administer flu shots during immunization hours on Tuesdays by appointment.
Pulaski County Health Department Announces Flu Shot Clinic
It’s almost that time of year again to start worrying about the flu.
Before you start getting a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue or a horrible hacking cough, get vaccinated!
