At the Macon County Health Department, it is our job to help promote health and prevent illness to help keep you and your family healthy. There are small steps we can take to promote our health and reduce the chances of becoming severely ill from certain viruses: staying up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, getting a yearly flu vaccine, regularly washing your hands, cleaning frequently touched places at home and work, and staying home when you are feeling sick.
Flu vaccine will be available throughout Macon county at drive-thru clinics in October, schools for students, and the Macon County Health Department throughout the flu season, beginning in September.
COVID-19 vaccines are available every Thursday in our office for ages 6 months and up, by appointment.
We will have the bivalent COVID-19 booster available at all drive-thrus. This bivalent COVID-19 booster provides protection against the original COVID-19 strain and Omicron subvariants (BA.4 and BA.5). Individuals are eligible who have completed the initial series of Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson, 2 months after the completion of their initial series or 2 months after their last booster. Individuals who received the Novavax vaccine are not yet eligible for a booster at this time.
Drive Thru Flu & COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
Flu vaccines will be available for adults –
- Pediatric flu vaccines are being provided at all Macon County schools and will be available at the Macon County Health Department
- High-dose flu vaccine and flublok are available for those who meet the age or employment criteria.
- COVID-19 vaccines and boosters will be available for ages 18 and up – Pfizer or Moderna only
- Please bring your COVID-19 vaccination card so we can check your eligibility for your booster (if applicable)
- Check here to see if you’re eligible for your booster
- Bring your insurance card, cash, or check
- Wear a short-sleeved shirt as vaccine(s) will be given in the arm
- Due to close contact, masks are recommended
Dates –
- Macon: October 5, 2022, from 9 am to 4:30 pm at the Macon County Fairgrounds
- New Cambria: October 12, 2022, from 10 am – 12 pm in the parking lot of the New Cambria Livestock Market
- Callao: October 12, 2022, from 2-4 pm in the parking lot of 36 & 3 cafe
- Ethel: October 18, 2022, from 10 am – 12 pm at Centennial Park
- Bevier: October 19, 2022, from 10 am – 12 pm at the Bevier Baseball Field
- Atlanta: October 19, 2022, from 3-5 pm at the Atlanta Community Building
- La Plata: October 20, 2022, from 3-5 pm at the East Side of the La Plata Park
Flu Form COVID-19 Vaccine Form
School Flu Clinics
Flu vaccine consent forms and insurance forms will be made available during the month of September at school and available on our website.
Most insurance, Medicaid, and self-pay are accepted. A copy of your child’s insurance card will be required to insure adequate billing
Dates –
- Macon R-IV (New Cambria): October 12, 2022
- Callao: October 12, 2022
- Bevier: October 19, 2022
- Atlanta: October 19, 2022
- Immaculate Conception School: October 20, 2022
- Tri-County Christian School: October 20, 2022
- La Plata: October 20, 2022
- Macon R-1: October 27, 2022
Staying Healthy During Flu Season and with COVID-19 in our Community
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at protecting against severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccinations have been approved for ages 5 and up. Booster doses have been approved for ages 18 and up 6 months after the initial series for Pfizer and Moderna and 2 months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- Practice social distancing by keeping 6 feet between yourself and others
- Stay home when you’re sick
- Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
- Clean and disinfect frequently used items daily such as your phone, vehicle, kitchen, bathroom, door handles, light switches, etc.
- If indoors, help promote good ventilation by opening the window, if possible
- Wear a mask in indoor public spaces that is well-fitting and covers the mouth and nose. Everyone over the age of 2 should wear a mask.
- Get tested for COVID-19 if you are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed. You could also consider testing before an indoor gathering or large event to help protect others.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze
Pneumonia and Shingles Vaccines are available for adults at our office
- Pneumonia can be an illness on its own or secondary to a virus such as flu or COVID-19
- If you are unsure if you are due for a pneumonia vaccine, call our office and speak to one of our knowledgable nurses who can help direct you to which (if any) vaccine you are due for
- Shingles is a painful rash that can be prevented and avoid complications through vaccine
- The shingles vaccine is approved for ages 50 and up
- Often Medicare will not pay for the shingles vaccine **call your insurance if you are interested to see how much they will cover**
Childhood Immunizations
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available for ages 6 months and up, to help keep children and infants from severe illness due to these viruses
Staying on schedule for recommended and required childhood vaccinations gives your child immune support to help your children avoid getting these preventable illnesses- Many vaccines are given in a series of multiple vaccines to help build the proper immune response to these viruses
- These preventable illnesses have been almost fully eradicated thanks to the development of childhood immunizations and herd immunity, where enough people in the community are vaccinated to prevent the spread of an infectious disease
- If you have questions or need recommendations on your child’s vaccination schedule, our knowledgeable nurses are available to help! Give us a call at 660-395-4711
