Lawrence County Health Dept

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The mission of the Lawrence County Health Department is the prevention of illness and the promotion of community health. This mission shall be carried out through community needs assessment, education, and the provision of quality services.

The Lawrence County Health Department is committed to fulfilling our mission by working cooperatively with other community agencies to complement their services but not to duplicate them.

It will strive to maintain the optimal mental and physical health of our citizens in the most cost-effective manner possible.

Flu vaccination remains the best way to prevent the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials are urging more people to get their seasonal flu shots. It is still possible to get a strain of the flu after receiving a flu shot, but the flu vaccination can lessen the severity of it. The CDC strongly recommends flu shots for those with chronic illness or a weak immune system and all children age six months to 18 years. In addition, people 50 years old and up, women who will be pregnant during the flu season, health care workers, child care workers and relatives of those who are at high-risk for the disease are also encouraged to seek vaccinations.

The Lawrence County Health Department wants to encourage everyone to use the convenience and efficiency of a flu shot clinic NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY.

A DRIVE THRU CLINIC for the General Public (for adults and seniors only) will be held at the Central Christian Church on October 7 from NOON 5 PM. Protect yourself from the seasonal flu without ever leaving your vehicle! This unique flu vaccination clinic provides a convenient opportunity for adults to protect themselves from seasonal flu and helps test our countys emergency response plans. If a disease outbreak or other emergency required vaccination of the entire county population, a drive-though clinic is one option the Lawrence County Health Department may use to provide vaccines quickly and safely. Events like the drive-through clinic gives the LCHD an opportunity to practice and to work with other community agencies all while providing appropriate services. Two health care teams will screen people, collect payment and administer shots pit crew style while people remain in their cars.

ADULTS AND SENIORS are invited to get their vaccination for the seasonal flu at one of the following flu shot clinics:

CHILDREN are invited to get their flu shot at one of the following Childrens Flu Shot Clinics (Note: Children (six months to 18 years) being vaccinated for the first time against the seasonal flu will need to have two (2) immunizations given one (1) month apart.):

The cost of the vaccine for the seasonal flu is $25 for adults and $10 for children (6 months-18 years). The Lawrence County Health Department will bill Medicare/Medicaid if proper cards are presented at the time of the vaccination.

ENFORCEMENT OF THE SMOKE-FREE ILLINOIS ACT
The Smoke-free Illinois Act enacted on January 1, 2008 and amended on February 4, 2009 prohibits smoking in all public places and workplaces, including offices, elevators, restrooms, lobbies, reception areas, hallways, meeting or waiting rooms, break rooms, government-owned vehicles, vehicles open to the public, theaters, museums, libraries, educational institutions, schools, hospitals, health care facilities, child care facilities, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores, restaurants, bars, private clubs, gaming facilities and other similar common use areas.
This was an important step to protect Illinois residents, workers and visitors from the harmful and hazardous effects of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of tobacco products and the smoke exhaled from the lungs by smokers that contains a complex mixture of chemicals, many of which are known to cause cancer.
The Illinois Department of Public Health funds the Illinois Tobacco Quitline which was created to help people quit the use of tobacco products. Quitline staff can help cigarette, cigar and pipe smokers, as well as, snuff and chew tobacco users. There is no cost for the counseling services. Anyone needing help in their effort to quit the use of tobacco products are encouraged to call (866) QUIT-YES (784-8937) or log on to WWW.QUITYES.ORG
Efforts to enforce the smoking ban are being increased. In accordance with the provisions of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, the Lawrence County Health Department along with the Illinois Department of Public Health, States Attorney Lisa Wade and local law enforcement agencies will increase enforcement of the provisions of this Act and will begin to assess fines for business establishments that violate this Act. Any person may report a business which violates the Smoke-Free Illinois Act by going online at WWW.SMOKE-FREE.ILLINOIS.GOV or by calling (866) 973-4646.