September 20, 2024
Drive Thru Flu Shots
Skip the walking, standing, and waiting in an office… get your annual flu shot in the comfort of your car!
The Union County Health Department’s annual drive-thru flu vaccination clinic is Friday, Oct. 11 from 9-11am at the Union County Fairgrounds (use Rt.4 entrance).
September and October are the best times to get a flu shot.
Vaccination is by appointment.
Drive-ups are welcome as time and supplies allow. This drive-thru clinic is open to children and adults ages 6 months and older. Regular flu shots as well as the high-dose flu shot (which is recommended for individuals age 65 and older) are available. Egg-free vaccine is also available for individuals with allergies to eggs. Most insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, are accepted. No one without insurance or who has an inability to pay for a flu shot is turned away.
Only the flu vaccine is available at this clinic. NO COVID, RSV, or other vaccines are available at this clinic, but give us a call and we’d be happy to provide these in our regular immunization clinic: 937-645-2058
Not able to make it to the drive thru clinic? We offer flu shots in our office Monday through Thursday by appointment. Book an appointment online at www.uchd.net
Free Tire Collection
The Union County Health Department is hosting a free tire collection for Union County residents on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at the Union County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Union County residents are invited to bring unwanted tires from cars, trucks, and other passenger vehicles that may be accumulating on their property.
Attendees should use the St. Rt. 31 entrance to the Union County Fairgrounds, 845 N Main St, Marysville. Tires will begin being accepted at 9 a.m. and will be collected until trucks are full or noon, whichever comes first.
Ohio law states no more than 10 scrap tires can be transported by an individual without a special license. Residents may bring as many loads of 10 tires as they would like until the trucks are full.
Only passenger tires such as car, SUV, truck, and van tires will be accepted. Tires must be off-rim. No tractor, semi-truck or other large tires will be accepted. There is limited space and tires will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
“The tire collection is part of our ongoing disease prevention efforts. Tires are a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Tires are difficult to drain and are often left in one place collecting water year-round. By getting rid of tires that are left outside, we can eliminate some mosquito breeding grounds, which help reduce the overall mosquito population,” said Adam Schultz, Director of Environmental Health for the Union County Health Department.
Mosquitoes are known to carry diseases like West Nile Virus and La Crosse encephalitis. Rarely, these diseases can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. As of Sept. 14, 2023, 52 pools of mosquitos collected within Union County have tested positive for West Nile Virus. This is one of the greatest numbers of positive pools collected since the Union County Health Department’s mosquito surveillance program began.
In addition to using bug spray and avoiding peak biting hours like dawn and dusk, eliminating standing water around your home is one of the best ways to prevent mosquito bites. Creating bat, toad and bird-friendly spaces on your property can also reduce mosquito populations.
The Union County Health Department is committed to preventing disease and protecting the health of Union County residents. To learn more about the free tire collection day or the Health Department’s mosquito control and surveillance program, please call 937-642-2053.
*This tire collection is free for all Union County residents and is made possible through a mosquito control grant awarded to the Union County Health Department from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Updated 2024/2025 COVID Vaccines Recommended This Fall/Winter
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults and children aged six months and older get an updated 2024/2025 COVID vaccine this fall/winter.
An updated COVID vaccine is recommended especially for people who have never received a COVID vaccine, are 65 or older, are at high risk for severe COVID, are living in a long-term care facility, or are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant. If you had COVID recently, the CDC advises waiting three months after you recover before getting another shot. According to the CDC, the vaccines are covered by insurance, including private insurance, Medicare plans, and Medicaid plans.
The updated COVID vaccines are making their way into our community, at local retail pharmacies, and here at the Union County Health Department. We are receiving limited quantities on a rolling basis. If you are interested in receiving an updated 2024/2025 COVID vaccine, please call our office at (937) 642-2053 to make an appointment or check with your local pharmacy.
The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is always changing and protection from COVID-19 vaccines declines over time. Receiving an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine can restore and enhance protection against the virus variants currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations in the United States. COVID-19 vaccination also reduces the chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended duration.
COVID Home Test Kits Available
As we’ve seen repeated over the past couple of years, the number of reported COVID cases has increased on the heels of summer. Free, at-home COVID test kits are available at the Union County Health Department. Test kits can be picked up in our office Monday-Friday from 8-4pm. If you are sick, please call our main line when you arrive (937-642-2053) and we will be happy to run test kits out to you.
Beat the Stigma: Challenge What You Know About Addiction
As you may have seen in the local paper or on a billboard as you head into Dublin, we are working to beat the stigma around addiction and spread the word that recovery is possible. The Union County Health Department is proud to partner with the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Union County to raise awareness about local resources available to help treat addiction and challenge what each of us knows about addiction. The fact is that the genes we are born with can increase our chance of developing drug or alcohol addiction by 50% and that teens who experience abuse are three times more likely to develop addictions. Click here to take the quiz and see if you can beat the stigma!
Check out the local resources here in Union County to help treat and support addiction and recovery.
Child Passenger Safety Week
Is your child’s car seat safe? According to a survey conducted by Safe Kids USA, 96% of parents believe they use their car seats correctly. However, research has shown that 73% of car seats are misused. Some of the most common misuse issues involve incorrect installation in the vehicle and improper car seat selection based on the child’s age, weight, and height.
Certified car seat technicians are available at the Union County Health Department to answer questions, check that car seats are properly installed, and assist with new installation. The Union County Health Department also participates in the Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB) program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health. The local OBB program distributes free car seats to low income families in Union County.
Child Passenger Safety Week is recognized each year in September and brings heightened awareness to how parents and caregivers can keep children safe in vehicles.
If you’d like your child’s car seat checked, call us to schedule an appointment: 937-642-2053.
Walk to School day is Coming to a School Near You
Remember the thrill of walking to school on the first day? There’s a feeling of joy and independence—a sense of adventure—that doesn’t fade. Of course, there are many other benefits to walking, biking, or rolling to school, too.
We are helping celebrate two Walk to School Day events this year in Union County:
Thursday, October 3rd for Marysville Schools
Tuesday, October 8th for North Union Schools
On these two separate days, whether you have children participating or not, we ask that you use extra caution if you’re driving in neighborhoods and around schools. On these two dates, we encourage EVERYONE to walk to school if they are able. This means there will be kids walking that don’t normally walk. Kids walking that may make quick decisions regarding traffic. Please be extra cautious.
Late Summer Days Mean Harvest Time in Union County
It’s that time of the year again when our rural roads come alive with the bustling activity of farmers and their farm equipment. These hard-working folks are out there feeding the world. To ensure their safety, and ours, as we share the road, let’s dive into some friendly advice on rural road safety from the Ohio Farm Bureau.
Rules for drivers
• Embrace patience –Harvest season is a busy time, and our farming friends are working hard to provide for us all. Show some patience, and remember the importance of their work.
• Stay focused –As you drive those scenic rural roads, resist the urge to multitask. Enjoy the view, but keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
• Keep your distance — Farm equipment can have some tricky blind spots, so give them some space. No tailgating, please. And be aware of their speed limits. If you can’t see the equipment operator, they can’t see you.
• Decipher the signs — Get to know those Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) and Speed Identification Symbol (SIS) signs. If you spot an SIS sign, the number on it tells you the maximum speed for that equipment. Respect it.
• Pass with care: Only overtake farm equipment when it’s safe, and the operator signals you to do so. Soft road edges and hefty machines make passing a challenge. And be extra cautious when they’re near farm fields because they might turn suddenly.
• Respect the mailboxes: Never pass farm equipment if you see mailboxes up ahead. Operators may have to cross the yellow line to avoid them.
In the end, it’s all about safety and respect on rural roads. A small act of kindness or patience can make a difference during harvest season. Let’s ensure that every trip on our rural roads is a safe and successful one. By working together and following these friendly tips, we can make our roads safer and show our appreciation for the incredible work our farmers do to feed our communities. Here’s to a harvest season filled with success and safe travels.
