By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
It's better to be vaccinated than exposed. That's the message the Barton County Health Department is pushing in August as part of National Immunization Awareness Month. Nurse Christina Delgadillo said residents who are unsure of their vaccination status can simply call the health department.
"It really is just a phone call to the health department," she said. "Some questions will be asked like name and date of birth. Records can be printed for the nurses to review, then we can make contact and let them know, based on their record, what is recommended and go from there."
The health department recently hosted a back-to-school event in conjunction with area sports physicals. Approximately 30 students received updated vaccinations during the four-hour clinic. Delgadillo said that's just one service provided by the health department during the summer months.
"With it being summer, there were a lot of people traveling to other countries," she said. "We actually do foreign travel consults as well, so we can look at their destination and see what is recommended for that place and review those records as well."
Delgadillo suggests residents get those travel vaccinations at least two weeks before leaving on their trip. For more information on vaccines or other services provided, contact the Barton County Health Department at (620) 793-1902.