Oct 22

Written by: ngreditor
10/22/2009 1:00 PM 

Goldenrod Hills receives okay to give Influenza vaccine

Goldenrod Hills Community Action will hold the Madison Immunization Clinic on Tuesday, October 27th, from 11:00 pm. to 3:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 508 S. Jackson, Madison. For an appointment please call (402) 529-3513.

GHCA’s Health Services Program will provide lead screening to children 12 months to 5 years of age at our Immunization Clinics. Children may get lead poisoning from paint of homes built before 1978, tap water, food, pottery, dirt, dust and even from the air we breathe.

Elevated blood levels can cause irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system; it can harm the kidneys and digestive system; and because lead reduces the ability for the body to produce red blood cells, it can cause anemia.

Children with elevated blood levels of 10 or higher may suffer dulled hearing, stunted growth, reduced eye-hand coordination, behavioral problems and delayed learning skills.

The Immunization Clinic is open to the public, and there are no income guidelines. Each child should be accompanied by the parent or guardian. Past immunization records are required. Proxy forms are needed when a parent or legal guardian is unable to accompany the child to clinic. Proxy forms may be obtained by contacting the Wisner office at (402) 529-3513. A suggested donation of $20.00 per child would be appreciated to help defray administrative costs. If a child only receives one immunization, then the suggested donation is $13.50.

No one will be denied immunizations for inability to make a donation. Immunizations are needed at ages: 2 months, 4months, 6 months, 12-15 months, and 4-6 years. This project is supported in part by Federal Immunization Program Funds awarded to Goldenrod Hills Community Action by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Goldenrod Hills Community Action, in conjunction with the Nebraska Health & Human Services Vaccines for Children Program, offers the Pediarix vaccine, which consists of the DtaP, Hepatitis B & IPV (polio) as a combination vaccine. Also available is Menactra (meningitis) for 11-18 year olds, Tdap (tetanus with pertussis) for 10- 18 year olds, Hepatitis A for 12 months to 23 month olds only, RotaTeq (rotavirus) for infants, and Gardasil for VFC eligible 11-12 year olds entering the 7th grade, as well as other recommended childhood vaccines. The Influenza vaccine is now available for children 6 mo- 18 years.

Adult vaccine (MMR, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Td, Tdap, TB testing) is available to the public for a mandatory fee at all immunization clinics to anyone 19 years or older. These fees cover the cost of the vaccine. Call the Wisner office at (402) 529-3513 for more information.

Operation Great Start (OGS) will be available at the Immunization Clinic to provide information and consultation for expecting mothers and mothers with children up to 12 weeks old. OGS works to provide services to families and children in North East Nebraska to ensure and strengthen their well being.

Goldenrod Hills Community Action (GHCA), headquartered in Wisner, NE, is one of nine Community Action Agencies in Nebraska. GHCA manages several different programs as determined by identified needs of residents in the 14 county service area. The Agency serves over 10,000 clients a year due to successful outreach efforts. Goldenrod Hills Community Action (GHCA) programs include the Commodity Supplemental Food Program; Family Services; Immunization; Weatherization; Head Start; Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition; Early Intervention Services Coordination; Operation Great Start and Operation Building Blocks.

The agency serves Knox, Antelope, Pierce, Madison, Stanton, Cuming, Thurston, Dakota, Burt, Wayne, Dixon, Cedar, Washington and Dodge counties. For more information on GHCA programs, call 1-800-445-2505.

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