 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Healthcare Provider Information |
Address:
Garrett Co. Health Dept.
1025 Memorial Drive
Oakland, MD 21550
Main Phone:
301-334-7777
or 301-895-3111
FAX: 301-334-7701
See department pages for individual phone numbers
E-Mail Webmaster
Alerts: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Previous Alerts
Notes: February 2008 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Previous Notes
Flu Season Arrives; Vaccine Still Available
The injectable vaccine is available on a walk-in basis at the Oakland location on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Vaccine is available on some Fridays at the Grantsville clinic by appointment. FluMist vaccine is no longer available as stocks have expired.
Occasional new cases continue to occur in Indonesia with no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.
Dr. Manasse has prepared an excellent summary of the current status of pandemic influenza: "When is 'When' An Avian Flu Pandemic Update" for the Clinical Newsletter of the Western Maryland Health System. Click Here to view.
Breast Cancer Screening: many slots open for grant-eligible women!
Have them call the health department to be checked for their eligibility.
Changes in Medicare D make it possible for a single provider to supply both the vaccine and the administration of the vaccine. This can be a physician, or, in Maryland, a pharmacist. Local pharmacies may gear up to provide this service; the pharmacy chains do not currently plan to do so. An on-line system, e-Dispense, is also available to make the charge to most Medicare D companies, reportedly with an easy registration process, and a rapid payment turn-around time.
ABC Program Promotes False Belief That A Link Exists Between Vaccines and Autism
ABC aired a program "Eli Stone" on January 31 which promoted the false belief among viewers that vaccines containing thimerosal cause autism. The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Preventive Medicine, and numerous other medical organizations had called on ABC to consider the public health impacts of promoting this common misconception, and cancel or markedly adjust the presentation. In response, ABC added a brief explanation at the end of the program that the material was fictional.
The most recent study showed that autism rates in California have continued to increase, even though thimerosal has been removed from all children's vaccines except for a few influenza vaccines.
Physicians have stated "The parents I talk to everyday don't understand the difference between the various vaccines we recommend for their children and anything that implies that there is a danger with one will lead many parents to neglect them all."
Regular Reports: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -Previous Reports
Infection Reports:
WMHS - updated Feb. 2008, GCMH updated Feb. 2008
WMHS February 2008 Clinical Newsletter: Flu Pandemic Update
References:
Advanced Directives/Living Wills
Quick Guideto Protecting Yourself and Your Family
Four Simple Things You Can Do to Protect You and Your family
Immunization Schedules and State Regulations
Maryland Lead Follow-Up Recommendations
