Archives

2022 Agency Board of Trustees Sworn In

PCHD Web Admin 0 Comment

We are so excited to introduce to you our 2022 Pike County Health Department Home Health & Hospice Board of Trustees. Sworn in on April 28th, 2022 by Laura Stumbaugh, Pike County Clerk was Ryan Bibb, Member and Jerry Hickerson, Chairman.

The Pike County Health Department Home Health & Hospice Board of Trustees is an unpaid, elected Board comprised of a Board Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and a Board Member.  Board Members are elected to four-year terms. The Board of Trustees is the governing and policy-making body of the Pike County Health Department Home Health & Hospice. The Board sets the direction of the Department and all matters pertaining to disease prevention, promotion, and protection of the lives and health of all Pike County residents and visitors. They hold the legislative and executive powers concerning how our agency functions for the benefit and well-being of Pike County and the residents within.

Our Board of Trustees are as follows:

  • Jerry Hickerson: Chairman
  • Art Flynn: Vice Chairman
  • Elisha Koenig: Secretary
  • Joyce Mcgown: Treasurer
  • Ryan Bibb: Member

 

Catching up on routine childhood and adolescent immunizations

PCHD Web Admin 0 Comment

Missouri Dept. of Health & Senior Services PSA:

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The COVID-19 pandemic has brought disruption to lives in many forms. For many children and families, even routine preventative healthcare has been disrupted. This National Infant Immunization Week, the Missouri Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (MOAAP) and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) highly encourage parents to ensure their children get caught up on or stay on track with routine vaccinations starting at birth to help protect them from serious diseases.

“As a parent, one of the best things you can do to protect your child is ensure that they see their doctor for well-child visits and recommended vaccines,” said Paula Nickelson, DHSS Acting Director. “Many vaccine-preventable diseases can have such devastating impacts, especially on vulnerable children. Assuring your child receives the vaccines can help you keep your child as healthy as possible.”

New CDC data show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood immunization. During the 2020-2021 school year, national vaccination coverage dropped from 95% to below 94%, which amounts to 35,000 more children across the U.S. entering kindergarten without documentation of complete vaccination against common diseases. Moreover, nearly 400,000 fewer children entered kindergarten than expected. Those children, too, might not be up to date on their routine vaccinations— further evidence of how pandemic-related disruptions to healthcare and education could have lingering consequences for school-age children.

Routine, safe and effective vaccinations during childhood help prevent 16 diseases. These diseases can have life-altering and sometimes tragic impacts on families. Severe symptoms can include:

  • Skin infections
  • Pneumonia (serious lung infection)
  • Long-term flu-like symptoms
  • Infections causing cancer
  • Severe dehydration
  • Seizures
  • Intense muscle spasms
  • Brain damage
  • Paralysis
  • Deafness (temporary or permanent)
  • Loss of limbs
  • Meningitis (swelling of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord)
  • Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
  • Orchitis (swelling of the testicles) in males who have reached puberty
  • Oophoritis (swelling of the ovaries) and/or mastitis (swelling of the breasts) in females who have reached puberty

The key is for infants, children and adolescents to keep up on their well-child visits for preventive care. These visits allow the doctor to track the child’s growth and development, provide recommended vaccinations and answer questions about the child’s health.

“Immunizations are a key tool to ensuring children stay healthy,” said Dr. Kristin Sohl, President, Missouri Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics. “We encourage parents and caregivers to schedule well-child checks to ensure your child’s overall health and wellbeing, as well as getting them up-to-date on important vaccinations..”

Missouri falls just below the national average, ranking 30th among states, for children ages 0-17 completing one or more well-child visits in 2021.

 

“Childhood vaccines have all been studied in depth to determine the most appropriate time in a child’s life for them to be given,” said Dr. Rachel Orscheln, Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Washington University in St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “We really want to vaccinate children at the earliest possible moment because young children, particularly infants, can be at risk of severe illness from certain infections.”

 

Among children born from 1994-2018, vaccinations will prevent an estimated 936,000 early deaths, 8 million hospitalizations and 419 million illnesses.

 

The Vaccines for Children program is funded by the CDC and provides free vaccines to children who qualify. Children 18 and under are eligible to receive free vaccines if they are Medicaid-eligible, do not have health insurance, are American Indian or Alaskan Native or are underinsured. Find the nearest Vaccines for Children program provider.

 

 

View the schedule of recommended childhood and adolescent vaccinations.

 

###

 

CDC Updates & Resources

PCHD Web Admin 0 Comment

Here you can find the most recently updated and/or released CDC COVID-19 publications, resources, and meetings listed below:

Recently Published COVID-19 Related Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWRs)

 

CDC COVID-19 Resources

New & Updated

  • COVID-19 Behavioral Surveys: CDC is recruiting LHDs to participate in a study to help enhance understanding of the complex challenges that limit adoption of recommended COVID-19 mitigation and vaccination practices among vulnerable populations. Interested health departments should contact Michelle Nelson at mnelson@bctpartners.com.
  • On April 14, 2022, the FDA revised the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the COVID-19 oral antiviral therapeutic Paxlovid to authorize an additional dose pack presentation with appropriate dosing for patients with moderate renal impairment within the scope of the EUA. As a result, Paxlovid will soon be available in two package presentations.
  • Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers: Effective April 14, 2022, CDC’s Amended Order aligns post arrival public health requirements for excepted noncitizen nonimmigrants with current CDC recommendations. The Amended Order also clarifies that parents or guardians do not need to complete an attestation on behalf of children under 2 years of age.
  • COVID Data Tracker’s Wastewater Surveillance tab now displays data showing levels of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in participating communities across the United States. The current SARS-CoV-2 levels for each site are shown as a comparison to past levels at that site.
  • COVID Data Tracker added U.S. territories to the COVID-19 Community Levels map on the County View
  • COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Would Like to Have a Baby includes information about COVID-19 vaccination and fertility.
  • Recommendations to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 in Tribal Settings includes information on how CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levelscan help Elders and leaders make decisions about community prevention strategies based on whether their own or a neighboring county is classified as a low, medium, or high community level. Recommendations to help tribal members stay safe during tribal ceremonies and gatherings is also included.
  • Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Teens includes updated answers to commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination in children ages 5 through 11 years.
  • 6 Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children includes vaccination information for parents and caregivers of children ages 5 years and older.
  • Vaccinating Children with Disabilities Against COVID-19 includes strategies for vaccine providers and partners to improve COVID-19 vaccine accessibility for children with disabilities and special healthcare needs.

School and Work

Community

COVID-19 Variants

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 Vaccines

Influenza (flu) Guidance

$2,000 Nursing Scholarship Deadline Fast Approaching

PCHD Web Admin 0 Comment

Our Home Care & Hospice Foundation of Pike County’s Nursing Scholarship Application is available every January, and will award one $2,000 nursing scholarship this year to a student or adult pursuing a nursing career. The Home Care & Hospice Foundation knows that our amazing nurses are the backbone of Pike County Hospice, and they want to entice more compassionate individuals to pursue nursing and help change the lives of our community members. It’s a very rewarding career, both monetarily and emotionally. Making a difference in people’s lives and making them smile is not something that you can achieve in any career. As a nurse, you’ll make a huge difference in people’s lives. A caring and compassionate nurse is considered as a guardian angel by patients. This can be a very satisfying and gratifying career for the compassionate.

The deadline for the 2022 Scholarship application is April 15th, 2022

Download the 2021 Scholarship Criteria and Application here >>>

COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Walk-In’s Welcome!

PCHD Web Admin 2 Comments

March 31, 2022 PCHD COVID PSA

2 years of COVID-19 in Pike County, MO – Where are we now?

PIKE COUNTY, MO – Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic the Pike County Health Department has continued to implement mitigation strategies to help keep our communities safe and informed. Since 2020, our agency staff has worked hard to keep up with the ever-changing data, information and education in order to ensure we are giving the most up-to-date recommendations per CDC guidelines and apply them to our current county level situation. We continue to address many other public health issues with education and prevention strategies. We believe these last two years have prepared us to be even better at responding to any future COVID-19 surge and other public health emergencies.  We continue to promote and protect the health, safety, and well-being of all through the many services we have to offer. Our community has grown stronger together through these hard times and it makes us proud to continue serving such amazing individuals.

In the recent months we have slowly been making changes to our online reporting; you will see that we are currently updating positive case counts twice weekly. We have also added direct links that will take citizens directly to the CDC and MODHSS (Missouri Department Health & Senior Services) online COVID-19 dashboards for more data and statistics per county, state, and national levels.

Although we are no longer making contact with positive COVID-19 cases or contact tracing to the extent we were in the beginning of the pandemic, we continue to monitor these cases as we do with other communicable diseases; investigating outbreaks and offering recommendations to individuals and businesses on how to manage and/or mitigate the illness for their specific situation. We are seeing that our COVID-19 case managing duties are becoming increasingly similar to how we have always managed other communicable diseases, which we believe is a positive movement.

BEGINNING APRIL 1st, 2022 we will be offering COVID-19 vaccines daily with no appointment necessary for those ages 12 and up. Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines (ages 5-11) will still be required to make an appointment. Those interested can receive their vaccines at our office from 8am-12p and from 1-4pm. Walk-ins will be on a first come, first serve basis and are subject to availability just as any other vaccine we have to offer.

CDC now states that those who have had their primary doses (two dose series of Pfizer or Moderna OR a single dose of Johnson & Johnson) are considered fully vaccinated, and those who have received their primary doses along with their boosters are considered up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.

COVID-19 and its variants are still a large concern for many people. Those who are severely immunocompromised or unvaccinated are still at highest risk of contracting and spreading this virus. We continue to encourage everyone to keep themselves and their families safe by practicing good hygiene, staying home when sick and wearing a mask when in large public spaces. Staying up to date on the currently recommended vaccines is a largely effective way to fight against these viruses. Pike County Health Department is available and willing to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding COVID-19 or any other agency matter. Reach us by calling 573-324-2111, by visiting our website at www.pikecountyhealth.org or follow us on social media.

CDC Recommends Additional Boosters for Certain Individuals

PCHD Web Admin 0 Comment

*The Pike County Health Dept. anticipates to see an increase in vaccine demand following this new recommendation. Please be patient as we work to prepare for assisting those interested in receiving a 2nd booster.*

Media Statement

For Immediate Release: March 29, 2022
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

Data continue to show the importance of vaccination and booster doses to protect individuals both from infection and severe outcomes of COVID-19. For adults and adolescents eligible for a first booster dose, these shots are safe and provide substantial benefit. During the recent Omicron surge, those who were boosted were 21-times less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who were unvaccinated, and 7-times less likely to be hospitalized. CDC continues to recommend that all eligible adults, adolescents, and children 5 and older be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting an initial booster when eligible.

Following FDA’s regulatory actionexternal icon today, CDC is updating its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Separately and in addition, based on newly published data, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

These updated recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain populations including those who are elderly or over the age of 50 with multiple underlying conditions, along with the currently available data on vaccine and booster effectiveness.

The following is attributable to Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky:

“Today, CDC expanded eligibility for an additional booster dose for certain individuals who may be at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. Boosters are safe, and people over the age of 50 can now get an additional booster 4 months after their prior dose to increase their protection further. This is especially important for those 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe disease from COVID-19 as they are the most likely to benefit from receiving an additional booster dose at this time. CDC, in collaboration with FDA and our public health partners, will continue to evaluate the need for additional booster doses for all Americans.”

###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESexternal icon

CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.

Community Health Needs Assesment – Please take this survey!

PCHD Web Admin 0 Comment
🗣Let Your Voice Be Heard!
Pike County Memorial Hospital (PCMH) requests your input in order to create a 2022-2024 Regional Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). To collect “up to date” community feedback, a short online survey has been created to uncover current community health issues and evaluate local health delivery. Survey is funded by PCMH.
While your participation is voluntary and confidential, all community input is valued. Thank you for your feedback. The deadline to participate is Friday, April 8, 2022.

NEW! CDC’s COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation (Q&I) Calculator

PCHD Web Admin 0 Comment

CDC’s new COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation (Q&I) Calculator takes the stress out of figuring when, and for how long, people with COVID-19 and close contacts need to stay home, get tested, and wear a well-fitting mask. Developed in response to requests from partners and the public, the calculator provides important information about what precautions people with COVID-19 and their close contacts can take to protect loved ones and slow the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.

*Please note that the Q&I Calculator is not for people with COVID-19 who are moderately or severely ill or those who have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised)—you should talk to your doctor about when to end isolation.  In addition, this tool does not apply to cases and close contacts identified in certain settings. Parents with children in K-12 schools or early care and education (ECE) programs should consult the program administrator for specific isolation and quarantine guidance in their school or ECE setting. 

We have added this calculator to our website for the public to easily access, just click here >>>

You can also find it on the CDC website along with other helpful information, just click here >>>

Get Vaccinated and Stay Up to Date

PCHD Web Admin 0 Comment
COVID-19 Vaccines:
Get Vaccinated and Stay Up to Date
  • Fully vaccinated means a person has received all recommended doses in their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Up to date means a person has received all recommended doses in their primary series COVID-19 vaccine, and a booster dose when eligible.

COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying. As with vaccines for other diseases, people who are up to date are protected best. CDC recommends that everyone ages 5 years and older get their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine, and everyone ages 12 years and older also receive a booster shot.

LEARN MORE >>>