The CDC estimates that vaccination of children born between 1994 and 2021 will prevent 472 million illnesses, help avoid 1,052,000 deaths, and save nearly $2.2 trillion in total cost to our society.

Today’s U.S. vaccination schedule is the best approach to protecting children from serious infections as early in life as possible. The overall aim is to provide early protection for infants and children against vaccine-preventable diseases that could endanger their health and life. The U.S. schedule is based on a careful review of the scientific evidence by a committee of distinguished physicians and researchers, known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP schedule ensures that infants, children, adolescents, and adults get vaccines at time points when they are vulnerable to infection and when there is solid evidence that the vaccines will protect and is safe for the people who will get them. Multiple medical organizations have all been consulted on and approved the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) childhood immunization schedule. These groups warn against delays, as there are no benefits to delaying vaccination. In fact, delays can cause harm by increasing the time a child remains vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. There could also be added expenses (e.g., multiple office visits), additional time off from work for parents, and the increased likelihood that the child will fail to get all necessary vaccinations.

At the Macon County Health Department, we carry all childhood and adult immunizations to help protect you and your family from these vaccine-preventable diseases.  They are diseases like measles, polio, meningococcal, and

 

whooping cough that are a threat to your family but that threat can be easily reversed with the correct immunizations.  As your vaccine experts in the community, our nurses and staff are here to make choosing immunizations for your child to be easy and the choice you feel comfortable with.

Many childhood immunizations are required to attend school in Missouri, the Macon County Health Department has these immunizations to help your school year start without delay.  We have immunizations for those who are insured and uninsured to make them affordable and available to everyone who needs them.  Call for an appointment at 660-395-4711 or request an appointment online. 

Boone Health Community Wellness and Boone Hospital Foundation will be at the Macon County Health Department offering free skin cancer screenings on Wednesday, May 10th from 11 am – 2:00 pm.

Individuals must schedule an appointment, which can be done using this link: https://bit.ly/BHMaconCoSkinScreenings

This screening is for exposed skin only, the person will not change into a gown.  Please wear loose clothing and shorts to make sure more skin is available to be screened.  Avoid wearing makeup and keep hair loose to allow the skin to be properly examined.

Yearly skin cancer screenings should be completed by a dermatologist and monthly self-exams can help you catch skin changes early to be examined.  When doing a skin screening, look for new spots, spots that are different than others, and any spots that changed, are itching, or bleeding.  When skin cancer is caught early, it is more easily treatable.

For more information on skin cancer screenings, visit the American Academy of Dermatology Association website

Help us celebrate public health throughout the month of April at the Macon County Health Department!

The health department is here to protect, promote and improve the health and quality of life in Macon County.  We offer a wide variety of services for all of Macon County to help your family thrive.

We will have special events throughout the month to celebrate public health:

1. April 6, 2023: Winter wellness walk and the smoothie bike
   • Join us for the finale of the Family Winter Wellness Challenge (and open for everyone) for a 0.5 mile walk around the park. We will be walking at 8 am and 3 pm.
   • We will have the smoothie bike and ingredients ready to be mixed all day.  You get to pedal the bike and use your power to blend your smoothie. Delicious and satisfying!
2. April 13, 2023: cholesterol and blood sugar screenings ($20)
   • Cholesterol and blood sugar is a simple fingerstick that can help give you insight into your overall health. This test will tell you total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels.  This can be great information if you’ve never had these values checked or haven’t in a while to check in to see how you are doing.
   • It is recommended to be fasting (only water and black coffee) before this test for the best results
3. April 20, 2023: Car seat checks and child ID kits
   • Our certified car seat technicians will be available from 10 am – 3 pm to check to make sure your car seat is installed correctly and your child is in the safest car seat for them.
   • Child ID kits are a FBI-approved kit that collects recent photo, fingerprints, height/weight, and a DNA sample from your child. Parents save this information in a safe place if there was ever a scenario where their child ran away or was missing and you would need it (the Health Department will not save anything, just help collect the sample).  Learn more about the National Child ID Kit program

 

 

 

4. April 27, 2023: Community Volunteer Corps

• • • Come learn about our community volunteer corps and how they help our county in emergencies and other events.

 

Low-cost blood draws

For the month of April in celebration of public health, we are offering low-cost blood tests to measure with your health.  You are not required to bring a doctor’s order for these labs.

Available Monday through Thursday from 7:45 – 5:00

Walk-in at any time is welcome but we prefer an appointment in order to better serve you. Call for an appointment at 660-395-4711.

Test panel – a $105 value for $50 – includes:

1. CMP (complete metabolic panel) – this test provides information on the body’s fluid balance, levels of electrolytes like sodium and potassium, and how your kidneys and liver are working.
2. CBC (complete blood count) – this test looks at your overall health and finds a wide range of conditions including anemia, infection, and leukemia.
3. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) – this test measures a hormone that is produced by the thyroid gland that controls how your body uses energy. Abnormal TSH levels may be a sign of a thyroid problem.
4. A1C (hemoglobin A 1 C) – this test measures your average blood sugar level for the past 3 months.
5. Vitamin D – this test measures the amount of Vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D helps control calcium and phosphate levels.
6. Lipid Panel (prefer you to fast before the blood draw) – this test is used to monitor and screen for cardiovascular disease and includes 3 measurements of cholesterol levels and a measurement of triglycerides (fat in your blood from the foods you eat that could raise your risk of heart disease or stroke).

Prostate test – a $30 value for $15

1. PSA (prostate specific antigen) – This antigen is a protein produced by normal as well as malignant cells of the prostate gland.  This test measures the level of this protein.  This level is often elevated in men with prostate cancer but can also be elevated with enlargement of the prostate gland, inflammation of prostate and other non-cancerous conditions.

Test results will be received by Macon County Health Department and sent to your primary care physician for follow-up as needed.  For anyone who does not have a primary care physician, and any results appear out of normal range, health department nurses will assist you to find a physician of your choice for follow-up health care.

Safe Sitter

Safe Sitter® prepares students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Students learn life-saving skills such as how to rescue someone who’s choking and helpful information like what to do if there’s severe weather. The lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises. Students even get to use CPR manikins to practice choking rescue and CPR!

Skills Your Child Will Learn

Safety Skills: Students learn how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies.

Child Care Skills: Students learn tips to manage behavior that will help them stay in control of themselves and the children in their care. Students also learn the ages and stages of child development, as well as practice diapering.

First Aid & Rescue Skills: Learning skills such as choking rescue and CPR is often students’ favorite part of the class. Students also learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses.

Life & Business Skills: The ability to screen jobs, discuss fees, and greet employers will set students up for success now and in the future. Students practice these skills through various role play.

Upcoming Classes

Thursday, April 6, 2023 from 9 am – 3 pm.

The cost is $30 for registration or $40 if they want a bag with babysitting supplies.  Call to register at 660-395-4711 – the registration form and payment is due the week before the class to secure your spot.  There are 8 seats available for each class.

Classes will be at the Macon County Health Department.  Parents or representatives are asked to come at 2:45 for pick up to watch the graduation ceremony for your child.