MONTGOMERY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Shingles Vaccine Available 

A vaccine to prevent Shingles was licensed in the United States in 2006 and is now being offered to the public by Montgomery County Health Department.  A single dose of shingles vaccine is indicated for adults 60 years of age and older. 

Montgomery County Health Department is currently taking names to determine if there is enough interest in the shingles vaccine to place an order.  The charge for the vaccine is $175.00, paid at the time of the injection.  

Montgomery County Health Department will NOT be billing any insurance for this vaccine.  The health department suggests that individuals that want the vaccine call their insurance companies to determine coverage and the procedure for filing this claim.  Be sure to indicate that the health department will be the provider giving the vaccine.  

If you are interested in getting the shingles vaccine, call the health department at 573- 564-2495.

Preventing Tick-Born Diseases 

In the United States ticks infect more people with diseases than any other insect.  At least six different tick-born diseases have been reported in the United States, these diseases are Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, Q-fever, Lyme, and the Southern tick-associated rash illness. Lyme Disease is the most common of these diseases in the United States. Montgomery County has already started getting reports of tick-associated illnesses.  So far this year Montgomery Count has had reported 3 cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and 1 reported case of Lyme. 

The signs and symptoms of tick-born diseases vary greatly, but if you experience muscle and joint aches, a sudden fever, flu-like illness, a skin rash, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea after a tick bite you should see your doctor. Symptoms of tick-born illness can appear as soon as 3-32 days after a tick bite. Tick-born diseases such as Lyme Disease can cause cardiac problems, arthritis, or facial paralysis if left untreated. 

 The best way to protect yourself against tick-born disease is prevention and quick removal of any ticks that do become attached. Tick born diseases are only transmitted when a tick attaches and it is rare for a tick to infect a person unless it has been attached for at least four hours. 

To prevent tick bites avoid tick-infested areas, walk in the center of the trail and avoid high grass and vegetation. Wear light colored clothing so you can easily spot ticks. Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts when the weather permits and tuck your shirts into your pants and your pants into your sock to keep ticks off of your skin.  

When you go outside always use insect repellants containing DEET on your skin. DEET repels ticks and interferes with the tick’s ability to locate you. Insect repellants that contain Picaridin can also be applied to your clothes; Picardin kills insects such as ticks, mosquitoes, and chiggers.  

Also do tick checks when outdoors, even in your own yard every two to three hours. Do this by looking at your clothes and by running your fingers over your scalp and skin, looking for any small bumps or new “moles”. Don’t forget your hair, ears, and underarms. At night , use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Ticks can attach in many places, but are most commonly found on the head, neck, underarms, and groin. 

If you do find a tick attached it should be removed as soon as possible, the longer a tick is attached the greater the risk of infection. To remove ticks correctly use tweezers or a tick removal tool. The key to correctly removing a tick with tweezers is to position the tweezers tip around the area where the tick’s mouthpart enters the skin. Then use a slow, steady motion when pulling the tick away from the skin. As soon as you have removed the tick disinfect the area with soap and water or whatever disinfectant that is available. 

There are many wives tales about removing ticks such as using fingernail polish, rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly, or a glowing hot match.  None of these methods have been found to be effective for removing ticks. 

By preventing tick bites and promptly removing any tick that become attached you can prevent tick-born disease. 

For more information on tick-born disease contact the Montgomery County Health Department at 573-564-2495.

Hepatitis A Vaccine Being

Offered to Food Establishment Employees 

Montgomery County Health Department is offering a service to the food establishments in Montgomery County.  In order to protect our community and the patrons of these businesses against Hepatitis A, the health department will be offering to immunize employees that handle food against Hepatitis A. 

The vaccine will be administered by the health department..  The vaccine cost is $5.00 per dose.  It is recommended that each food handler receive two doses of the vaccine in order to be fully protected.   

“There has been a lot of publicity on Hepatitis A,” reported Geneva Allison, Administrator, “ and you can imagine the serious problems and liability issues it could cause for the businesses involved.  These problems could be avoided by immunizing those persons who handle food for the public. This action could also prevent a Hepatitis A outbreak in our community.” 

This program is strictly voluntary by the local businesses.  Receiving the Hepatitis A immunization DOES NOT replace the practice of good hand washing.  Hand washing is imperative in preventing other communicable diseases. 

For more information, please contact Hugh Mooney or Geneva Allison at Montgomery County Health Department at (573) 564-2495.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT PREPARING FOR PANDEMIC FLU 

Montgomery County Health Department is planning for a Pandemic Flu event, which is predicted to occur, they just don’t know when.  A Pandemic Flu is different from the seasonal flu, which occurs annually in the fall and winter.  The Pandemic Flu will be:

The health department has developed a Public Health Emergency Planning Committee consisting of the emergency management director, emergency responders, health care providers, school districts, veterinarians, law enforcement, county commissioners, Ministerial Alliance, Red Cross, coroner, University Extension, Youth In Need and other local agencies. This committee is working together to make decisions of how Montgomery County would control the spread of influenza, thus saving lives.  

In the committee meeting held on March 29, it was decided that these measures could occur if Pandemic Flu was in Montgomery County:

“Our community should be aware of the measures that may be necessary to prevent the spread of the influenza.  Families need to prepare for any of these measurers.  That might mean staying home for long periods of time, arranging for child care if school and daycares are closed,” stated Geneva Allison, Administrator at Montgomery County Health Department.  “The health department has free booklets to help our community prepare their families.” 

You can pick up a free booklet at the health department at 400 N. Salisbury, Montgomery City. 

Free Cervical Cancer Vaccine Available at Montgomery County Health Department 

[Montgomery City, MO] – Eligible area girls and women can now receive a free vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.  The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine is now available at the Montgomery County Health Department, Montgomery City.  

The free vaccine is available to all girls and women ages 9-26 who are uninsured, who  qualify for the federally funded Vaccines for Children program, or who have insurance that does not cover the HPV vaccine. 

Montgomery County Health Department is a partner of Missouri Family Health Council, a nonprofit organization based in Jefferson City, Mo. that recently shared in an $11 million grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health to administer the free HPV vaccine program. Missouri Family Health Council is working with 13 partner agencies throughout Missouri, including Montgomery County Health Department to provide the vaccine.  Additionally, Montgomery County Health Department is a provider for Vaccines for Children. 

The HPV vaccine, Gardasil®, was approved by the Federal Drug Administration in mid-2006 to protect females against the four most common types of HPV, which cause almost all cervical cancers and genital warts.  However, vaccinated females are still strongly encouraged to continue with routine cervical cancer screenings (Pap tests), since the vaccine does not protect against all causes of cervical cancer. The vaccine also doesn’t protect against pregnancy or against other sexually transmitted infections. 

The vaccine is administered in three doses, over a six-month period.  Normally, its total cost of $360 would be cost-prohibitive for many.  However, the $11 million grant from Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) enables 30,000 low-income and uninsured Missouri females to receive the vaccine for free.  This gives Missouri the most comprehensive HPV vaccine effort in any state, and ensures that all who can benefit from the vaccine can receive it. 

To make an appointment to receive the vaccine, or for more information to see if you or your daughter are eligible for the free vaccine, contact the health department at (573) 564-2495.   A $5.00 administration fee may apply to some who receive the vaccine.

MFH is a philanthropic organization whose mission is to improve the health of the people in the communities it services.