Noble County Health Department Delivers 5000’th COVID Vaccine

Submitted by Samantha Hesson

Accreditation Coordinator/ Health Educator

This past week the nurses at the Noble County Health Department administered their 5000th COVID vaccine dose! We have been doing this since December 23, 2020 with all of the NCHD staff involved. This was no easy task when the time of year and poor weather conditions were involved. Rain, sleet, snow and high winds didn’t keep us from providing vaccines to patients in their vehicles. We did have tents to protect everyone from the weather until the weather destroyed the tents and blew them away! Through the last couple of months, we have had vaccine clinics throughout the week and on some weekends to have times available for everyone to be vaccinated. During this time, we have continued to provide all other health department programs and services. We have been blessed by the community support.

As of May 6th, 30.75% of Noble County has been vaccinated with either J&J, Moderna or Pfizer.  Thanks to an immunization records web-based system, Immunization Information Systems (IIS), this information is able to be merged together to give us an accurate depiction of the Noble County percentage of vaccinated residents, even if they received it in a different part of the state. If you received your COVID vaccine in another state you will need to bring in your vaccination card to have your records updated in the IIS system. This helps us to provide quality services that promote wellness, prevent disease, and plan a healthy future for our community. It is our vision to have a thriving community where residents achieve optimal health.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by two years of age, over 20% of the children in the U.S. typically have seen more than one healthcare provider, resulting in multiple medical records. IIS are confidential, population-based, computerized databases that record all immunization doses administered by participating providers to persons residing within a given area. People receive vaccinations from a variety of places, for example: the hospital, their workplace, doctor’s office, public health department or pharmacy. These sources send vaccination records to state or city IIS. IIS provide records to patients (this is when you access your medical records online) and authorized professionals. Parents/caregivers use this information to enroll children in school and daycare. Some career fields may ask for your vaccination records. Doctors and healthcare providers use IIS to determine which vaccinations are needed and to care for patients. Public health uses the information to develop programs that increase vaccination coverage and decrease the harm caused by vaccine- preventable diseases.

 

We encourage you to have a conversation with your healthcare provider and loved ones to review the facts as the vaccines are a safe and effective form of protecting ourselves, and our loved ones from serious illness due to COVID-19. Together we can make a difference. Schedule your appointment to receive your free COVID-19 vaccine while staying in your car at the Noble County Health Department by calling 740-732-4958 or register online at noblecohd.org.