The Health Department receives vaccines for children less than 19 years of age from the Ohio Department of Health. Any child residing the the state of Ohio may receive routine childhood immunizations at the Health Department. Children eligible for the federal Vaccine for Children Program (no insurance, American Indian or Alaskan native, or having a medical card) may receive all routine vaccines free. For children not VFC eligible, some vaccines may require payment, although most are still free. A minimal administration fee is charged.
Walk-in immunization clinics are available without appointment at the following times:
- First Tuesday of each month at the Health Department from 9 until 11 am and 1 until 3 pm.
- First Thursday of each month at the WIC Office (302 Second Avenue) in Chesapeake, Ohio from 1 until 3 pm.
Other times may be available by appointment at the Health Department. Please call to schedule your appointment.
Adult Immunizations
Flu, pneumonia, tetanus and Hepatitis B immunizations are available for adults at a nominal administration fee. During the fall, flu immunization clinics are conducted throughout the county. The Health Department also participates in the High-Risk Hepatitis Program, which provides free Hepatitis vaccines to persons who qualify under guidelines for this state-subsidized program.
Tuberculosis Testing
The Health Department also houses the Lawrence County TB Unit, which is separately funded through the Lawrence County TB Board. The Board provides a county tuberculosis nurse, who is responsible for reporting, investigating and following possible cases of tuberculosis in the county, as mandated by Ohio law. In some situations this may involve direct administration of TB medications to active cases, or may simply involve coordination of prophylactic medications to persons with positive TB skin tests who are at risk for developing tuberculosis later in life. The county TB Unit also acts as a resource to provider offices and receives referral patients for education and coordination of care.
Prenatal Clinics
Prenatal clinics are charged a clinic fee according to income. Patients are provided quality care for a fraction of the cost of a private physician. Medicaid is also accepted. Currently prenatal clinics are held each Tuesday morning by Dr. Herb Myers. Patients who come through LCHD prenatal clinic will deliver at Cabell Huntington Hospital.
Family Planning Clinics
Appointments can be made for:
· Pap exams
· Breast exams
· Contraception
· Emergency contraception
· Physical exams
· Colorectal screenings for women over 40
· Screenings for STD’s.
Flu and Pneumonia Clinics
Flu and pneumonia shots are offered each fall at various locations throughout the county for a nominal fee. Medicare and Medicaid are both accepted.
Southern Ohio Women's Cancer Project
The primary goal of this project is to detect and prevent breast and cervical cancr by providing free or reduced cost clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams and pap tests to eligible women in Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross and Vinton Counties.
Specialty Clinics (For those 21 years of age and under)
· Hearing Clinic
· Vision Clinic
Environmental Health Services
For specific information concerning rules and regulations of the following topics or to view the Ohio Revised Code or Ohio Administrative Code, please visit www.odh.state.oh.us and look for the rules and regulations tab on the left side of the page (at the bottom of the list). Be sure to look in FINAL rules.
· Food service inspections
· Water and sewage inspections
· Public swimming pool inspections
· Animal bite investigation
· Illegal dumping investigation
· Mobile home park inspections
· School safety inspections
Other Services Offered
· Well child clinics
· Car seat program
· Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps services (BCMH)
· Lead testing to detect elevated blood levels in children
· Communicable disease education and treatment
Provider Education
MOBI presentations (Maximizing Office-based Immunizations) are available to office practices through an IAP (Immunization Action Plan) grant from the Ohio Department of Health/US Center for Disease Control. This program provides immunization education on the best practices for vaccine administration and storage, new vaccines, latest schedules, and reminder/recall systems. The IAP grant also funds the AFIX Program (Assessment, Feedback, Incentives, and Exchange), which is a confidential chart review by trained Health Department personnel of immunization rates and practices at physicians offices or clinics to assist them in quality improvement. A quarterly newsletter on immunization practices is also mailed to all providers and school nurses in the county.
Public Education
The Health Department immunization staff is happy to provide current information by way of literature or presentations to any individuals or groups. Literature and VFC Provider information is also provided to parents of newborns in cooperation with the Help-Me-Grow program and through community bulletin boards and health fairs.
Infectious Diseases
The Health Department receives Infectious Disease Reports, as required by Ohio law, from health care providers and other entities on a variety of reportable illnesses. They are reviewed and entered into ODRS (Ohio Disease Reporting System). Follow-up is initiated by the Infectious Disease coordinator in conjunction with the regional Epidemiologist, who tracks trends and completes surveillance activities.
These activities are also a part of the county emergency preparedness plan (Public Health Infrastructure), which would activate in case of a public health emergency involving the need for activating the National Stockpile, distribution of preventative drugs or vaccines, and assisting other response agencies with health information regarding Infection Control.
The list of Ohio Reportable Illnesses, forms, contact numbers and resources is distributed by the Health Department to all healthcare provider agencies and schools annually.