Clinical Services at Monongalia County Health Department is open for preventive service appointments.
“The health department staff is at a place where we can resume some of our normal services again,” said Jennifer Goldcamp, director of nursing for the MCHD Clinical Services program.
MCHD Clinical Services offers Family Planning for free or low-cost birth control, and health checkups for those individuals seeking birth control. West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program provides Pap tests, breast exams and mammogram referrals for those who qualify.
“And we also accept commercial insurances for women’s health and gynecology,” Goldcamp said.
Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases are free, Goldcamp noted. “All of our services are confidential, and our staff is non-judgmental.”
Vaccines are also available at Monongalia County Health Department. This is the time of year that parents should begin to think about back-to-school vaccines.
It is anticipated that schools will be back in regular session this fall.
Even if those plans change, however, “Students will still need vaccines,” Goldcamp said. “That won’t change.”
Here are the vaccines that students need by age group:
Ages 4-6: Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis), also known as DTaP. This should be your child’s fifth dose; polio (IPV) – fourth dose; measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), second dose; chickenpox (varicella), second dose; influenza (flu); every year
Ages 7-18: Influenza (flu), every year
Ages 11-12: Meningococcal (MenACWY), one dose; HPV, two doses; Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (DTaP), one dose; influenza (flu), every year
Ages 16-18: Meningococcal (MenACWY), one dose; Meningococcal B is also recommended.
You can find a list of those immunizations on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/index.html.
Adults also need vaccines. Everyone should get a Tdap vaccine to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis every 10 years. Individuals 50 and over also should get the Shingrix vaccine to prevent shingles and a pneumonia vaccine. And everyone ages 6 months and above should get a seasonal influenza vaccine each fall.
Visitors to MCHD Clinical Services will notice a difference in the intake process to protect everyone’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You’ll be getting intake forms texted or emailed to you,” Goldcamp said. “And when you come to our facility, you’ll call, and a nurse will interview you over the phone. Then she will bring you in to see the provider.”
Patients also will be asked to put on a mask when they arrive.
“It’s just to protect everybody and maintain social distancing.”
To make an appointment at MCHD Clinical Services, call 304-598-5119.
For the most recent information on community health and wellness, visit monchd.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @WVMCHD.
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