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MACON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OPEN TO TREAT PATIENTS THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Free Flu and Tetanus Shots Provided for Storm Survivors, Cleanup Volunteers

Nashville, February 15, 2008

The Macon County Health Department will open again this weekend to offer services to area residents and volunteers taking part in storm cleanup efforts. Hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 16 -17. No appointment is necessary.

Flu and tetanus shots will be provided free of charge to area residents and volunteer workers. The Department of Health is urging all injured residents and volunteers to get a tetanus shot to be protected from the bacteria, which enters the body through a break in the skin. Injured adults and adolescents age 11 and older should have received a booster shot within the last five years to prevent illness from tetanus.

Also, as Tennessee residents contend with confirmed cases of seasonal flu, the Department of Health is recommending that survivors of the tornadoes and severe storms of February 5 receive the flu vaccine, which will prevent the spread of illness among groups of individuals who may be living in close and confined spaces. Protecting an individual from the flu also helps protect those who may not be able to get a vaccine, such as young infants or people with certain medical conditions. It is especially important for people at high risk for contracting the flu, or anyone who comes into contact with a high-risk person, to get vaccinated. Those considered at high risk include:

  1. Pregnant women
  2. Persons more than 50 years of age
  3. All children age 6 months to 5 years of age
  4. Anyone with a chronic medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease
  5. Residents of long-term care facilities and nursing homes
  6. Anyone living with or caring for young infants or anyone in the above mentioned groups, especially healthcare providers

The Macon Health Department will also be providing primary care services on a sliding fee scale to anyone needing treatment this weekend. Primary care includes treatment of acute illnesses and minor injuries, management of chronic diseases, basic lab services and a limited pharmacy. 

The Macon County Health Department is located at 601 Highway 52 Bypass East in Lafayette.  Normal hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Those needing more information may call (615) 666-2142.

During normal operating hours, local Health Departments offer the following services: for children – immunizations, Well Child/EPSDT screens, WIC nutrition services, children’s special services care coordination; and for adults, breast and cervical cancer screening, family planning services, HIV counseling and testing, and communicable disease control.

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