Mumps Vaccination for MU Students

In an effort to control the mumps outbreak at the University of Missouri, the University Health Center is recommending a 3^rd dose of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine for MU students before returning to school after the holiday break.

At this time, this recommendation is ONLY for University of Missouri-Columbia students NOT students of other universities or members of the general public.

The Grundy County Health Department will offer MMR vaccinations to MU students on Wednesday, January 4 and Wednesday, January 11 by appointment.

At this time, Grundy County has one lab-confirmed case and one additional probable case. There have been no confirmed child cases in Grundy County. Surveillance and testing efforts are ongoing. Healthcare providers are required to report the diagnosis of mumps cases (along with other diseases) to the county health department for investigation.

Mumps is a viral illness. The symptoms of mumps are: body aches, loss of appetite, fatigue, headache, low grade fever and parotitis. Parotitis is an inflammation of one or both of the major salivary (parotid) glands located on either side of the face. Visit the CDC website for more information about mumps: www.cdc.gov/mumps/.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent mumps, but it is only effective prior to exposure. People born before 1957 are considered immune to the illness because of the prevalence of the disease in the childhood population prior to that year. Adults born after 1957 should have two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) to be fully immunized if they do not have evidence of immunity, possibly gained by having contracted mumps as a child.

Missouri law requires children to have two MMR vaccinations before attending school.

Please check with the Grundy County Health Department or your physician if you are not adequately immunized. If you have symptoms of the mumps, see your physician for evaluation.

For more information about the mumps or MMR vaccination, please call the Grundy County Health Department at 660/359-4196.

Help Wanted: Registered Nurse

The Grundy County Health Department is seeking a Registered Nurse. Education: Associate or Bachelor’s (BSN) degree. Prefer 2 years of experience in public health or physician’s office. Responsibilities will include clinical duties, community programs, and case management. Must have good written and oral communication skills. Salary negotiable with experience. Send resume and cover letter to Grundy County Health Department, Attn: Elizabeth Gibson, 1716 Lincoln, Trenton, MO 64683 before December 30. Search will continue until the position is filled. GCHD is an equal opportunity employer.

Mumps Case in Grundy County

The Grundy County Health Department is currently investigating several suspect cases of mumps in Grundy County residents. At this time there has been one lab-confirmed case of the illness in Grundy County. There is currently an outbreak of mumps in Central Missouri with 73 cases reported.

Grundy County Health Department, along with all health departments throughout the state, have disease surveillance systems in place to identify illnesses like the mumps. Medical providers are required to report the diagnosis or suspicion of mumps cases (along with other diseases) to the county health department for investigation.

Mumps is a viral illness. The symptoms of mumps are: body aches, loss of appetite, fatigue, headache, low grade fever and parotitis. Parotitis is an inflammation of one or both of the major salivary (parotid) glands located on either side of the face. Visit the CDC website for more information about mumps: www.cdc.gov/mumps/.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent mumps, but it is only effective prior to exposure. People born before 1957 are considered immune to the illness because of the prevalence of the disease in the childhood population prior to that year. Adults born after 1957 should have two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) to be fully immunized if they do not have evidence of immunity, possibly gained by having contracted mumps as a child.

Missouri law requires children to have two MMR vaccinations before attending school.

Please check with the Grundy County Health Department or your physician if you are not adequately immunized. If you have symptoms of the mumps, see your physician for evaluation.

For more information about the mumps or MMR vaccination, please call the Grundy County Health Department at 660/359-4196.

November Flu Shot Schedule

The Grundy County Health Department has set the dates for November flu shot clinics. Shots will be given on a walk-in basis.

Tuesday, November 1, 1-4 pm

Tuesday, November 8, 1-4 pm

Tuesday, November 15, 1-6 pm (late clinic!)

Tuesday, November 22, 1–4 pm

Tuesday, November 29, 1-4 pm

Flu shots are recommended for all individuals age 6 months and older. High dose vaccine is available for those over age 65.

If you have Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, bring your card for billing purposes. If you are uninsured, please make a donation to help cover the cost of the vaccine.

If you have questions, please call the Grundy County Health Department at
(660) 359-4196.

Flu Shot Spooktacular

The Grundy County Health Department will be holding a Halloween Flu Shot Spooktacular Tuesday, October 25 from 1:00 to 6:00 pm at the Grundy County Health Department. Flu shots will be available for all ages and there will also be Halloween treats, prize drawings, and GCHD staff will dress in festive apparel.

Flu shots are recommended for all individuals age 6 months and older. The Health Department has vaccine for all age groups, including high dose vaccine for those over
age 65.

Call 660/359-4196 for more information.

Flu Shot Time

The days are getting shorter and cooler and the signs are everywhere--get your flu shot! The Grundy County Health Department has scheduled walk-in clinics for the months of September and October.

Tuesday, September 27, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, October 4, 9:00 – 11:30 am and 1 – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, October 11, 9:00 – 11:30 am and 1 – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, October 18, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, October 25, 1:00 – 6:00 pm

Flu shots are recommended for all individuals age 6 months and older. The Health Department is offering vaccine for every age group. High dose vaccine is available for those over age 65 and quadrivalent (4-strain) vaccine for people under age 65.

If you have Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, bring your card for billing purposes. If you are uninsured, please make a donation to help cover the cost of the vaccine.

If you have questions, please call the Grundy County Health Department at 660/359-4196.

June Events!

The month of June is a busy one.

June   9 - Blood Draws
June 18 - Gooseberry Festival 5k/10k at Eastside Park | Register at GrundyCHD.org
June 22 - Blood Draws
June 23 - FREE PSAs for Men's Health Month
June 30 - Skin Cancer Screenings with Cleaver Dermatology

Call for an appointment. 660.359.4196.

Check out our full calendar for WIC, immunization, and clinic days.

Summer Immunizations!

We know, summer is just getting started! You've got big plans--days at the Aquatic Center, camping, family vacation. It's WAY too soon to start thinking about going back to school in the Fall. Well, not for the gang at the Grundy County Health Department. We start thinking about the First Day of School long before school's even out in May! It's a busy time for us.

The State of Missouri requires students that attend school have all their immunizations up-to-date. Booster doses of certain vaccines are required before school starts this Fall. 

School immunization requirements affect four age groups primarily:

• Students entering Kindergarten must have a booster series.
• Students entering eighth grade need a TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster and a meningococcal vaccination.
• Students entering 12^th grade are required to have a meningococcal vaccination. This is a new requirement for this age group.
• College students living on campus are required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine.

To avoid a last minute rush, the Grundy County Health Department is offering an incentive for students that come in early: a $10 gift card for appointments before July 1 and a $5 gift card for appointments before August 1. Evening appointments are available.

The Health Department is able to bill most insurance companies. GCHD participates in the Federal Vaccines for Children program that provides vaccine for children that are uninsured or eligible for Medicaid.  Please bring your insurance card with you to your appointment.

Avoid the August rush by scheduling your appointment this month. Call the Grundy County Health Department at 660/359-4196 to make an immunization appointment for your child.