Infant Immunization Week- Extended Hours

Each year, thousands of children become ill from diseases that could have been prevented by basic childhood immunizations. Countless more miss time from day care and school and their parents miss work because they are under-immunized or inappropriately immunized.

During the week of April 24- May 1, 2010, the Cascade City-County Health Department (CCHD) will observe National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiative designed to raise awareness about the importance of childhood immunizations.

In observance of National Infant Immunization Week, the Cascade City-County Health Department will have extended hours on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, and will be open from 8am-7pm. 

During NIIA Week, Amazing Toys has donated coupons for health department staff to give to children who come in for immunizations that week or can show proof of being fully immunized.  The Amazing Toys coupons are for 30% off of any $10 purchase.  

Trixie Smith, Prevention Services Manager for the CCHD says, “One of the most important ways a parent can keep their child healthy is to make sure they are fully immunized.  Hopefully, with the evening hours, many parents will take advantage of this opportunity.”

Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.

Community Meeting for CHCC on Tuesday

There will be a community meeting held next Tuesday, April 27, 2010 from 1:30-3:00pm in the Civic Center Gibson Room.  The purpose of this meeting is to provide clear, specific information about the federal requirements for a community health center, including the structure and authority of the community board, as well as the expectations of a co-applicant arrangement.  This presentation by a HRSA consulting team will serve as a foundation upon which to build additional community discussions about the future of the Community Health Care Center, Inc. (CHCC).

The Community Health Care Center is a federally qualified health center that has operated as a division of the City-County Health Department since 1994.  The team from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-the Federal agency that funds the Health Center- will be on site the week of April 26^th thru the 29^th.  Health Officer and Executive Director, Alicia Thompson states: “We want to assure that all of the stakeholders in our community have a chance to hear the same information about federal requirements and ask clarifying questions, as well as make sure everyone hears the same message.” 

The main purpose of Tuesday’s meeting is to discuss alternative options for the future of the Health Center with community decision makers, community partners and stakeholders in the healthcare field.  Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and explore the feasibility and impact of different scenarios for the future of the CHCC.

 About the CHCC:

The CHCC focuses on providing high quality, cost-effective, comprehensive primary and preventive medical, dental and behavioral health care to individuals who would otherwise not be able to access care.  Patients who are not covered by public or private insurance are charged on a sliding fee scale, based on their income, which renders health care affordable to all patients.