September 14, 2022

The bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster has been approved for use and is available at the Macon County Health Department.  We currently carry both Pfizer and Moderna bivalent booster vaccines.

The CDC recommends that everyone ages 12 and up should receive an updated COVID-19 bivalent booster to restore protection against these more contagious strains.

The bivalent booster offers more protection by helping build immunity to the original strain of COVID and two subvarients of the omicron strain (BA.4 & BA.5).

Boosters play an important role in continuing to build an immune response against COVID.  Immunity can naturally wane, so a booster continues to tell the body that there is a need to continue to build immunity.  Vaccinations and boosters can help keep you healthy by decreasing severe infection, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19.

These bivalent boosters are available to anyone who had the first two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna, or single dose of Johnson & Johnson as their primary series.  People who received Novavax as the primary series are not eligible at this time.

You are eligible for the bivalent booster two months after completing your primary series or two months after your last booster.

The Macon County Health Department will be offering both Pfizer and Moderna bivalent booster in the office by appointment each week, call for an appointment at 660-395-4711.  We will also be offering the bivalent booster at our drive-thru flu clinics throughout Macon County in October.  For a list of dates, visit our website at www.maconmohealth.org/flu

July 28, 2022

(Macon County, MO) – In the last four weeks, June 29- July 26, 2022, the Macon County Health Department has been notified of 106 new cases of COVID-19. This only counts confirmed laboratory tests and not at-home, self-reported tests.

Common symptoms that are reported are “allergy-like” symptoms or what may be perceived as a simple summer cold.  They can be symptoms like sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and maybe a fever.

Testing when you are feeling sick, or after an exposure, can help you know whether you have COVID-19.  There are free at-home testing kits available through https://www.covid.gov/tests or by calling 1-800-232-0233.

If you are feeling sick or have tested positive for COVID-19, stay home.  Out of an abundance of caution, it would be helpful to test for COVID-19 before being around others or going to an event, even an outdoor event. Wear a mask if you have been exposed in accordance with CDC guidelines or to be cautious to reduce the spread.

Staying up-to-date on vaccinations and boosters can help reduce symptomatic, severe infection, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19.  The following are vaccines are currently available at the Macon County Health Department on Thursdays:

• Moderna vaccine: 6 months old – 5 years old
• Moderna vaccine: 6 years old – 11 years old
• Pfizer vaccine: 12 years old and above
• Moderna vaccine: 12 years old and above
• Johnson & Johnson vaccine: 18 years old and above

The CDC is hosting a free webinar for parents, caregivers, and community members, tomorrow July 29^th at 12:30 CST, regarding the COVID-19 vaccination for children.

Regular childhood vaccines continue to be important for protecting health.  Make sure your child is up-to-date on their childhood vaccination and get their required and recommended back-to-school vaccines as the school year is quickly approaching.  Our nurses can help answer questions and can help get your child back up-to-date to help them stay healthy.

COVID-19 continues to be a serious health concern for residents in our county.  People continue to fight the effects of COVID-19 in their homes and from being hospitalized due to this illness.  The Macon County Health Department continues to support and encourage healthy choices to improve health outcomes for all residents in our county.

For an appointment or to speak with one of our knowledgeable nurses, call 660-395-4711 or request an appointment.