Winnebago County Health Department

Winnebago County Health Department
Healthy people in a healthy community
without health disparities.

As your health department, we offer a variety of wellness and environmental health services to all Winnebago County residents. For your good health and that of our community, we provide numerous programs focused on wellness promotion throughout each life stage, injury and violence prevention, disease prevention, disaster preparedness and response, and environmental safety.

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Health Department News  
 


Contact:          Sue Fuller, Community Relations Coordinator   (815) 720-4213
                        Mark Hunter, Black Male Health Coordinator     (815) 720-4268
Date:               Friday, February 5, 2010

For Immediate Release
 
NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY 
 
Mark your calendars and set the date! February 7, 2010 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), a national HIV testing & treatment community mobilization initiative designed to encourage Blacks across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get treated around HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities. 

While Blacks represent approximately 13% of the U.S. population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the group accounts for 49% of the nation’s AIDS cases. In 2006, both Black men and women had the highest HIV death rates per 100,000 (ages 25-34 & 35-44). Also, HIV was the fourth leading cause of death for Black men and third leading cause of death for Black women (ages 25-44).  Unfortunately, many of those who are infected with HIV are unaware of their status and may unknowingly transmit the virus to others. It’s time to mobilize and talk about this devastating disease so we can make a difference… and there’s no better time than February 7th! On this commemorative day, Blacks are encouraged to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get treated around HIV/AIDS. Special events such as press conferences, town hall meetings, church services, community marches & rallies, candlelight vigils, and free HIV testing will be held throughout the nation.
 
In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the local Rockford BASUAH Initiative (Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV/AIDS) will host its 3rd annual “SHOUT-OUT TO END AIDS: Destroying the Stigma - Uniting the Community” - an HIV/AIDS awareness and testing event on Saturday, February 6, 2010.
 
The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at Ellis Arts Academy, 222 S. Central Avenue, Rockford, Illinois, with events including: an open house, 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. featuring free HIV screening by Crusader Community Health & the Total Health Awareness Team, community information booths, refreshments and more. And a community showcase, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. featuring performances by the Rockford College Vocal Collective, Praise Dance performances by “The Unspoken Voices of Praise” from Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, “Daughters of Praise” from Liberty Baptist Church, and the community-wide praise dance group “Proverbs 31.” Other entertainment includes performances by the Rock City Unique Steppers and a spoken word performance by local poet & artist Christopher D. Sims.
 
“It is time for our people, from all levels and walks of life to fix our eyes on the horizon and carry forth the gift of freedom by raising awareness and visibility of HIV/AIDS in Black communities; locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.” says LaMont “Montee” Evans, of Healthy Black Communities, Inc, lead organization and a member of the NBHAAD Strategic Leadership Council.
 
Several Black celebrities and community leaders have served as the face and voice of this huge effort while encouraging thousands of Black communities to mobilize and do something that will be long-lasting in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Currently, NBHAAD is directed, planned and organized by a group known as the Strategic Leadership Council who partners with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mobilize communities and address specific issues in regards to local epidemics.  
 
For more information regarding the event contact Mark Hunter, Winnebago County Health Department Black Male Health Coordinator at (815) 720-4268.
For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, visit www.blackaidsday.org.
 
The local  BASUAH HIV/AIDS Initiative includes partners from: Winnebago County Health Department,  Crusader Community Health , Black Male Health Community Action Team, Black Healthcare Initiative Coalition, Rockford Health Council, City of Rockford, Rock River Training, Pilgrim Baptist Church, Allen Chapel AME Church, Miles Memorial CME Church, Liberty Baptist Church, National Council of Negro Women, Diversity of Rockford, Total Health Awareness Team, Ellis Heights Weed and Seed, Living Word Light of the World Ministries Int’l, Ellis Heights Weed and Seed, Stand Against Cancer, Young Life, and the Rockford Public Library, Montague Branch.
  
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02/05/2010 
Flu Shots & Blood Work Clinic at Heartland Community Church
 
The Winnebago County Health Department would like to invite the public to the upcoming “Flu Shots & Blood Work” Clinic at Heartland Church on South Alpine Road running February 11-13, 2010. The clinic will provide H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccinations, in addition to heart-related blood tests.
 
Seasonal flu shots normally cost $30, but with the donation of a non-perishable food item visitors can receive the vaccine for $15. Medicare Part B & Medicaid are also accepted. H1N1 vaccinations are still free of charge. Lipid & CMP tests will cost $20 and require a ten-hour fast prior to the test (drinking water is OK).
 
Heartland Community Church - 1280 South Alpine Road
Clinic Hours
Thursday February 11, 2010: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Friday February 12, 2010: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Saturday February 13, 2010: 8 a.m. - 12 noon
 
The Health Department has compiled some tips for residents attending this clinic:
  • Prepare to expose the uppermost part of your arm, near the shoulder.
  • When bringing a child for their H1N1 booster, if possible, please bring their vaccination card with the previous dosage information. The second dose cannot be given within 21 days of the first.
  • People with allergies to eggs should not receive the vaccine.
  • People getting the Lipid & CMP tests are required to fast for 10 hours prior to their visit (can drink water)
For general information, including information on H1N1 and future clinic dates, please call us at 815-720-4000 or visit our website at www.wchd.org, or follow us on Twitter or now on Facebook. For seasonal flu shot information, please call 815-720-4264.

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02/04/10
Winnebago County Health Department Now Offers E-PAY

The Winnebago County Health Department announces customers now have the convenience to use E-PAY for selected services. E-PAY allows customers through their own computers to use Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit or debit cards to pay for permits, fees and birth/death certificates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

“We wanted to provide our customers a more efficient and consumer-friendly option to apply for services along with an electronic on-line service for payments”, said Larry Swacina, Director of the Center for Environmental Health Improvement, Winnebago County Health Department.
 
E-PAY is a service offered by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. Currently, over 450 local and state agencies offer E-Pay for their customers.
 
For more information on E-PAY services through the Winnebago County Health Department, visit the Winnebago County Health Department website at www.wchd.org.
   


1/26/10
Hospitals Lift H1N1 Restrictions for Visitors Age 12 and Younger
 
In light of the decreasing numbers of H1N1 influenza cases in the Rock River Region, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford Health System, SwedishAmerican Health System, and Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in cooperation with the Winnebago County Health Department, have lifted the visitor age restrictions.
 
The restrictions on visitors age 12 and under were put in place back in mid-October in response to limit the spread of H1N1 flu.  
 
The health systems and the Health Department continue to monitor H1N1 and seasonal flu activity.  
 
The health department and the hospital systems remind everyone to practice proper hygiene by covering coughs, cleaning hands often and staying home when sick.
 
1/22/10
Winnebago County Health Department Opens Additional H1N1 Clinics
 

The Winnebago County Health Department is offering additional H1N1 vaccination clinics for the community. The Department will be holding clinics for anyone who has not yet received their H1N1 immunization.

“Being vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 flu not only protects you, but it helps protect the people around you.  If you get the flu you can pass it to others including babies, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions who are more likely to suffer serious complications.

As a result the CDC and the Health Department recommend that everyone possible receive their vaccination, even those who normally do not fall under the ‘high-risk’ categories,” said Mike Bacon, Public Health Administrator.

 

Appointments can be made for the clinics by calling 800-649-2381 at any time of day. The Winnebago County Health Department has available all forms of the vaccine, including the nasal spray, for distribution at the following clinics: 


Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Winnebago County Health Department - 401 Division Street, Rockford, IL
4-6 p.m.

Thursday, January 28, 2010
Hilander Village Shopping Center - 4912 Hononegah Road in Roscoe, IL
4-6 p.m.
 

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Winnebago County Health Department - 401 Division Street, Rockford, IL
4-6 p.m.
 
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Winnebago County Health Department - 401 Division Street, Rockford, IL
4-6 p.m.
 
The Health Department has compiled some tips fro residents attending H1N1 vaccination clinics:
  • Prepare to expose the uppermost part of your arm, near the shoulder.
  • Vaccinations are free of charge, and Medicare cards are not required.
  •  When bringing a child for their booster, if possible, please bring their vaccination card with the previous dosage information. The second dose cannot be given less than 21 days after the first.
  • People with allergies to eggs should not receive the vaccine.
  • Clinics serve hundreds of people, and the staff does their best to get everyone in and out in a timely manner.
  • Please allow at least 15 minutes for your visit, middle to late clinic time slots usually have less wait times.

For general information, including information on H1N1 and future clinic dates, please call us at 815-720-4000 or visit our website at www.wchd.org, or follow us on Twitter. For seasonal flu shot information, please call 815-720-4264. 

Vaccine Information Sheets
H1N1 Influenza Consent Form for Adults - English Version

H1N1 Influenza Consent Form for Children - English Version

Forma de Autorizacion de la Influenza del H1N1 para los ninos - en Espanol

Letter to Schools - Update on the Novel H1N1 2009 Vaccinations - English Version

Actualicazion sobre la vacuna del H1N1 - en Espanol 

LIVE, ATTENUATED - (the nasal spray vaccine) - English Version 

INACTIVATED - (the "Flu Shot") - English Version 

Viva Atenuada (rocio intranasal) - en Espanol

Desactivada ("inyeccion contra la influenza") - en Espanol   

CDC Podcast - H1N1 Flu Vaccine - Why the Delay
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Illinois H1N1 Hotline Number
The  24/7 Illinois H1N1 flu hotline number is 1-866-848-2094 for English,
and 1-866-241-2138 for Spanish. The H1N1 hotline will answer medical
and general questions on H1N1 influenza, vaccine and treatment. 
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