By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Mid-September through mid-October is the ideal time to immunize against various respiratory diseases, including influenza. The Barton County Health Department is ramping up its vaccine programs for the fall. Tuesday morning, Nursing Supervisor Lindsey Ensley provided an update to the board of commissioners.
“Every year, the Barton County Health Department does flu outreaches throughout the Barton County community,” she said. “We typically go to the schools, private businesses, then several public locations where the public can walk up and get their flu vaccine. We try to make it as easy and efficient as possible for people so there’s no excuse.”
Approximately 27 stops are planned this fall. On Sept. 22, the health department visited the communities of Galatia, Olmitz, Albert, and Pawnee Rock. The next day, staff made stops in Susank, Beaver, Odin, and Claflin. Staff also attended the Women’s Expo on Sept. 29, and has made stops at the Great Bend Recreation Commission and Great Bend Public Library. They will be at the Senior Center in Great Bend on Oct. 15.
“We take our camper, our mobile unit,” Ensley said. “That’s good for visibility, and it also gives them a place to sit down and do their paperwork.”
Claflin Fire and EMS will host its annual open house and pancake breakfast from 6-10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Fire Station on Highway 4 in Claflin. The health department will be present from 8-10 a.m. Health department nurses are also available for home visits in the county.
“We have several homebound people in our community,” Ensley said. “All they have to do is just give us a call at the health department, and a nurse will go out and give them their flu vaccine at their home. We’ve really prided ourselves on doing that and making sure we’re getting to everybody who needs a flu vaccine to keep them healthy.”
Health department staff will team up with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday, Oct. 24 for another Drug Take Back Day. Unused or expired medications and needles may be turned in that day for proper disposal.