Hardin County Public Health

Immunizations

Adolescent Immunizations

If your child has no health insurance, is under-insured, or Alaskan/Native American Indian, they may qualify to receive vaccines under the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program. Call Rachel at 641-939-8444 for information.
Parents – you make sure your infants receive life-saving immunizations, but what about your adolescents? Are their immunizations up-to-date?Public Health officials in Iowa recommend the adolescent immunization schedule (en espanol) provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This schedule shows needed vaccines for those ages 7-18. Some physicians may vary this schedule to meet your child’s needs.

Adolescents need the following immunizations:
- Meningococcal Vaccine (en Espanol) – to protect them from meningococcal disease, the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2-18 years. Meningitis is an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings. Meningococcal disease can also cause blood infections.
  - Meningococcal (MenACWY) (en Espanol) – This vaccine is required for all incoming 7th and 12th graders before beginning the school year. All 11-12 year olds should be vaccinated with a single dose of a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). A booster shot is recommended at age 16.
  - Meningococcal B (MenB) (en Espanol) – Teens, 16-18 years old, may be vaccinated with a MenB vaccine.
- Tdap vaccine (en Espanol) – to protect your child from Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis, the Tdap vaccine can protect adolescents and adults from these three serious diseases. This vaccine is a requirement for all seventh graders to receive before starting school.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (en Espanol) – (Gardasil) is for both females and males between the ages of 9 and 26. HPV infection is the most common Sexually Transmitted Infection in the U.S. It can cause cervical cancer and other diseases in females as well as males (anal cancer, genital warts, etc.). It can be prevented by having the Gardasil vaccine.
- Flu Vaccine (en Espanol)– to protect your child from influenza. This vaccine is needed annually.
- Varicella (Chickenpox) (en Espanol)
- Hepatitis A (en Espanol)
Childhood ImmunizationsIf your child has no health insurance, is under-insured, or Alaskan/Native American Indian, they may qualify to receive vaccines under the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program. Call Rachel at 641-939-8444 for information. Public Health officials in Iowa recommend the childhood immunization schedule (en espanol). Some physicians may vary this schedule to meet your child’s needs.

Immunization Recommendations & Schedules

Iowa Immunization Requirements

Tobacco Cessation/Prevention

Tobacco Cessation Services

Want to quit smoking? We are here to help!
There is no one perfect method to quit smoking. Each person is different. That is why it is important to formulate a quit plan the includes a variety of cessation methods that will work for you. One of the most important components to this quit plan is receiving cessation counseling from a health care provider or trained counselor.

Quitline Iowa

Studies prove that most tobacco users want to quit. Many tobacco users will try 7-9 times before they are completely successful. Quitline is one piece to the quitting puzzle. For some tobacco users, it’s the only piece needed. For others, it will take various pieces working together for success. Whatever the case may be for you, Quitline is a great way to get started and a great tool to use all along the way. Quit Coaches not only help you figure out how to quit, but they help you become proficient in living tobacco free! If you’re a tobacco user looking to make this your last quit attempt, team up with Quitline and be one step further out of the cycle of addiction! www.quitlineiowa.org.

Quitline Iowa has recently partnered with National Jewish Health. National Jewish Health is ranked the top respiratory hospital in America for the past 118 years. Their focus today is on delivering preventative, personalized medicine. Their wellness program focuses on the #1 cause of preventable death today – tobacco use.

You are in the best hands when you call Qutiline Iowa! Quitline staff are continually trained in new and emerging tobacco products, pregnancy and postpartum, mental health, crisis calls, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ challenges with quiting smoking.

Interested in quitting? Enroll by:
– Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW
– Referred by a health care provider.
– Enroll online at www.quitlineiowa.org

Open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week! ALL languages served!

Youth Tobacco Prevention

Is you Child Care Center or Home Nicotine-Free?
Caring for Our Children National Health and Safety Performance Standard Guidelines (CFOC) recommend implementing a comprehensive tobacco and nicotine-free policy. This policy prohibits the use of all tobacco products, electronic smoking devices and other nicotine products not approved by the FDA for cessation. It applies at all times and covers the entire child care property. It applies to staff, visitors, business vehicles, and addresses enforcement. A comprehensive policy goes above DHS guidelines and Iowa’s Smoke Free Air Act.

How do I implement a policy?
– Connect with your local Community Partnership for help!
– Develop a clear, comprehensive policy.
– Take advantage of FREE technical assistance.
– Use this IDPH approved policy available at https://idph.iowa.gov/hcci/products
– Set a date for when the policy will go into effect.
– Notify staff, parents, and caregivers of the new or updated policy.
– Post appropriate signs to help with enforcement.
– Find out if you qualify for FREE signage!
– Enforce the policy at all times and determine steps to address violations.

Academic Partnerships

Hardin County Public Health collaborates with the students of Ellsworth Community College, University of Iowa and Iowa State University regarding internships and nursing observation for completion of Community Health hours. Contact us at 641-939-8444 for more information.

Emergency Preparedness

The preparedness department at Greenbelt Home Care was developed to provide an organized and coordinated response to any natural or human caused public emergency which contains an actual or potential public health hazard including:

Communicable disease outbreaks
Environmental sanitation hazards
Emergencies involving toxic and hazardous materials
Chemical, biological, and radiological incidents

We work closely with local, regional, state and federal agencies to prepare for and respond to incidents that threaten public health. Greenbelt Home Care works closely with other first responder agencies within the community to ensure a coordinated, effective response to any emergency.

Hardin County Board of Health

Greenbelt Home Care contracts with the Hardin County Board of Health to provide Public Health Services to Hardin County. Board of Health meetings are held on the second Thursday of even months at Greenbelt Home Care in Eldora. Meetings start at 6pm in the conference room and are open to the public. Meeting agendas can be found posted at Greenbelt Home Care and the Hardin County Courthouse.

Hardin County Board Of Health Members

Maile Carter, Chair- Term Expires 12/31/2023

Breanne Butler, Secretary Term Expires 12/31/2023

Amanda Winters, Member- Term Expires 12/31/2025

Renee` McClellan, Member- Term Expires 12/31/2025

Tom Borer, Member- Term Expires 12/31/2025

Curtis O'Loughlin, MD, Member- Term Expires 12/31/2024