PIKE CO. Mo. – Pike County Health Department is urging our communities to do your part in reducing the risk of communicable illnesses this holiday season. The best way to prevent hospitalizations from communicable diseases such as influenza, COVID and RSV is by getting your recommended immunizations. Vaccination is extremely important for those who are immune compromised, diabetic, have heart conditions and/or have other underlying conditions. Not only should older adults receive the flu vaccine, but healthy individuals as well. It is important to protect yourself as well as those around you. Pregnant women, speak with your doctor about getting the flu vaccine to help protect your unborn child.

Healthy, non-symptomatic individuals can transmit the flu virus to others around them unknowingly.  It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after getting your vaccination, so getting yours soon is an important step in preventing the spread of these viruses. The CDC advisory below only strengthens our message about the importance of getting your vaccinations to help reduce your risk of severe disease, including pneumonia, hospitalization, and death. When suffering from these illnesses it also reduces your immune system making you more susceptible to other infections making recovery difficult and lengthy.

Our office offers Flu & COVID vaccinations during our Walk-In Clinic hours Monday- Friday from 8:00am – 12:00 pm & from 1:00 pm – 4:00pm.

We will also be open THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16th from 9:00am – 11:00am in an attempt to have the flu vaccine available to those who are unable to receive it during those times. 

If you have any questions regarding seasonal vaccinations please contact our office and ask to speak with one of our Public Health Professionals 573-324-2111.

Urgent Need to Increase Immunization Coverage for Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV Immunizations and Use of Authorized/Approved Therapeutics in the Setting of Increased Respiratory Disease

Reports of increased respiratory disease have been described in multiple countries recently. CDC is tracking increased respiratory disease activity in the United States for several respiratory pathogens, including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV, across multiple indicators such as laboratory test positivity, emergency department visits, wastewater, and hospitalizations. Currently, the highest respiratory disease activity in the United States is occurring across the southern half of the country, with increasing activity in northern states.

In the past 4 weeks, hospitalizations among all age groups increased by 200% for influenza, 51% for COVID-19, and 60% for RSV. As of December 1, 2023, the weekly percentages of pediatric emergency department visits for pneumonia due to multiple etiologies were increasing since September in children, but remains consistent with prior fall and winter respiratory activity. To date, 12 pediatric influenza deaths have been reported during the 2023–2024 season. From September 1 through December 10, 2023, CDC received 30 reports of MIS-C, a rare complication that typically occurs 1 month after SARS-CoV-2 infection, with illness onset among cases occurring from August 6 to November 9, 2023, a relative increase compared with previous months. High RSV activity is also occurring across much of the United States.

Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV can result in severe disease, especially among unvaccinated persons. Infants, older adults, pregnant people, and people with certain underlying medical conditions remain at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and influenza disease. Infants and older adults remain at highest risk of severe RSV disease; it is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States. Vaccination for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV reduces the risk of severe disease, including pneumonia, hospitalization, and death. Vaccination for COVID-19 can also reduce the risk of MIS-C and post-COVID conditions.