Oct. 19-25 has been designated as World Infection Prevention Week; it’s the time of year to look ahead to preventing sickness during the upcoming infectious season. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announced that the theme for this year’s observation is “Stand UPPP – Unite, Prevent, Protect & Prevail for Infection Prevention.”
The goal of World Infection Prevention Week is to raise awareness about the importance of infection prevention and highlight the efforts of healthcare professionals and the public in preventing the spread of infections. Therefore, the health department is offering some suggestions on how to help keep germs away during gatherings and activities and the infectious season.
Many of these seasonal infections – COVID, seasonal flu, common cold, RSV have some shared and in-common symptoms, and it can be hard to diagnose and differentiate the infections.
The Health Department is sharing messaging and guidance to help local residents and families to better understand these infections and how to prevent and treat them.
Remember, it’s important to enjoy the season’s traditions in good health by taking steps to protect yourself and others from respiratory infections:
In addition, this is a prime time to reinforce the importance of clean hands. Remind your children, family members and co-workers to wash their hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. When there’s no soap or water–reach for a hand sanitizer or wipe.
When should you wash your hands?
The Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare locations in Kewanee, Toulon and Colona remind area residents they have Flu vaccine for adults 18 yrs+ at each of their clinic locations by appointment or a “walk-in” basis Monday through Friday. In addition, they will be conducting one Drive-Thru Adult Flu Shot Clinic in Kewanee on Friday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Henry and Stark County Health Department’s west parking lot, 110 N. Burr Blvd. Flu shots are “no-cost” for those with Medicare or insurance coverage. You must bring your Medicare and/or insurance card with you in order to receive the “no-cost” shot. The cost of this year’s flu shot, for those paying cash, is $60. Remember, please bring your Medicare or insurance card, cash or check at time of vaccination.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the First Choice Healthcare Clinics Kewanee 309 852-5272; Toulon 309-852-3115 or Colona 309-792-4011 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announced that this year’s updated adult Covid-19 Shots are now available at their First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee while supplies last. Covid-19 shots will be available on a “walk-in” basis Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. or by appointment at their Kewanee location, by simply calling 309-852-5272.
At this time, adults with Medicare or “insurance coverage” for the Covid-19 vaccination can obtain the Pfizer 2025-26 updated vaccine. Simply bring your Medicare or insurance card with you.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommends vaccination with the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the following adult groups:
● All individuals who are or will be pregnant, during any trimester of pregnancy, postpartum, or during lactation.
● All adults ages 18 years and older.
To schedule your appointment, check vaccine availability, cost or coverage, or for more information; call the First Choice Healthcare Kewanee location at 309-852-5272.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments recently announced that this year’s seasonal flu shots for adults -18 yrs.+ and children – 6mos+ are now available at all First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon.
Adult flu shots will be available by appointment or on a “walk-in” basis Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at all locations. Children’s flu shots are available by appointment at all locations.
Flu shots are “no-cost” for those with Medicare or insurance coverage. You must, however, bring your Medicare and/or insurance card with you in order to receive the “no-cost” shot. The cost of this year’s flu shot, for those paying cash, is $60. Remember to bring your Medicare or insurance card, cash or check at time of vaccination.
In addition, Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare in conjunction with the Henry County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will be conducting one drive-thru adult flu shot clinic in Kewanee on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Henry and Stark County Health Department’s west parking lot, 110 N. Burr Blvd.
This year the Health Departments will be administering the 3-component Trivalent seasonal flu shot through their First Choice Healthcare locations in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon. They believe this vaccine is going to give our area residents the most comprehensive protection from the influenza this year.
For more information, call the First Choice Healthcare locations in Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011; and Toulon 309-852-3115 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments.
The Henry and Stark County Health Department and Kewanee Public Library will be holding a special Fall Health Check Clinic for area residents on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Kewanee Public Library, 102 N. Tremont St., Kewanee. The clinic is open to all men and women 18 years of age and older.
In keeping with the Health Departments’ mission of promoting healthier living, this Fall Health Check Clinic will be featuring free flu shots for those with Medicare or insurance coverage. You must, however, bring your Medicare and/or insurance card with you in order to receive the “no-cost” shot. The cost of this year’s flu shot, for those paying cash, is $60.
The Health Departments are encouraging everyone six months of age and older to get vaccinated against the flu this year. People at high risk of serious flu complications are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated. These “at-risk” persons include small children, pregnant women, people with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes, smokers, heart and lung disease, health care workers and people 65 years and older.
In addition, the Fall Health Check Clinic will also feature the following health screenings “free-of-charge:”
● Blood pressure checks
● Vital signs
● Blood glucose screenings
In addition to the health screenings, the clinic will feature a variety of health information and free giveaways.
The Henry County Health Department and Geneseo Public Library District remind residents they will be holding a special Fall Health Check Clinic for area residents on Thursday, Oct. 23 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Geneseo Public Library, 805 N. Chicago St., Geneseo. The clinic is open to all men and women 18 years of age and older.
In keeping with the Health Departments’ mission of promoting healthier living, this Fall Health Check Clinic will be featuring free flu shots for those with Medicare or insurance coverage. You must, however, bring your Medicare and/or insurance card with you in order to receive the “no-cost” shots. The cost of this year’s flu shot, for those paying cash, is $60.
The Health Departments are encouraging everyone six months of age and older to get vaccinated against the flu this year. People at high risk of serious flu complications are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated. These “at-risk” persons include small children, pregnant women, people with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes, smokers, heart and lung disease, health care workers and people 65 years and older.
In addition, the Fall Health Check Clinic will also feature the following health screenings “free-of-charge:”
● Blood pressure checks
● Vital signs
● Blood glucose screenings
In addition to the health screenings, the clinic will feature a variety of health information and free giveaways.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. That’s why the Health Departments encourage people to take a CPR certification class. As the American Heart Association says, “Learn to save a life, learn CPR. The Life you SAVE could be that of a loved one.”
CPR training will teach participants to recognize and care for breathing and cardiac emergencies in infants, children and adults. Instruction will also be given on how to recognize emergencies and actions to take and understanding the role of AEDs–Automated External Defibrillators in the Cardiac Chain of Survival.
CPR classes are held the fourth Tuesday monthly. The class will be held at the Health Department offices, 110 N. Burr Blvd., Kewanee. The classes will run from 4 to 6 p.m. The cost of the Class is $45. Payment and registration are due prior to the class date. These rates are per participant.
There are a set participant “minimum” and “maximum” for classes; so, anyone interested should contact the department at 309-852-0197 Ext. 231.
