MEETING — The Jefferson County Board of Health held its regular meeting Tuesday. The Board of Directors meets regularly at 8:15 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the second floor community room of the Jefferson County Tower Building, 500 Market Street, Steubenville. — Christopher Dacanay
STEUBENVILLE — After initial skepticism, a recent vaccine clinic conducted by the Jefferson County General Health District has received a positive response from the increasingly open Amish community in the north and northwest corners of the county, department officials say. reported on Tuesday.
Medical Director Dr. Janie Culp told the Jefferson County Board of Health that department staff conducted a flu vaccine clinic Oct. 3 in Bergholz for nearby Amish residents. At the clinic, staff administered 98 vaccines, two-thirds of which were for children under 18 and the rest for older adults.
“They were very positive,” Culp told the board. “At the end of the clinic, their bishop came up to us and said, ‘We really appreciate you coming to vaccinate us.'”
Although some did not participate, Culp said the 98 people represent a “substantial majority” of the Amish population affected by an outbreak of meningitis among children in December. With support from local epidemiologists, health systems, and the Ohio Department of Health, JCGHD staff responded to the outbreak, provided post-exposure treatment, and subsequently held a meningitis vaccine clinic.
“In fact, they wanted us to come to this (flu) clinic while we were out getting the meningitis vaccination,” Culp said. “We said we’ll get back to you as we get closer to flu clinic season. They call us again a few weeks later and we’ve set this up for them. So it’s basically It was their idea. We just did the communication part.”
“That community has been in that void for probably 35 to 40 years and has grown a lot. When they first came, they were very isolated. …But… It’s great to know that they are open to outside help.”
“And they actually thank you for treating them as human beings, because they probably feel left out,” said Health Commissioner Andrew Henry. added.
Culp said the clinic is a “team effort” utilizing the health department’s Wellness on Wheels mobile unit. The clinic was held in an easily accessible bulk food store, she said, adding that the community has been “very welcoming” to the agency’s presence.
“I’m sure this is a result of when you were first being treated for meningitis and how kind and willing we were to help them,” said Tony, chairman of the board. Muzianis said. “They’re like us, maybe a little different, but they embrace kindness. That’s why we were[invited]back.”
As for the flu vaccine itself, Culp said this year’s vaccine is trivalent, meaning it protects against three strains of infection. Last year’s vaccine was quadrivalent and protected against three strains, but one “B” strain has not been identified since 2020, so it has been removed from the current vaccine.
Vaccinations are available through the health department’s influenza vaccination program, which runs through October. A list of dates and locations is available at jchealth.com. The department does not carry high-dose vaccines for individuals 16 and older. These are available to the general public at Walgreens by appointment, Culp said.
Separately, Henry added that the Ministry of Health has added COVID-19 vaccine clinics on Nov. 6 and 8. These clinics will be the first clinics offered by the health department since the department’s free COVID-19 vaccine distribution ended. Since it has been some time since the last clinic, Henry said the clinic is being piloted to gauge public interest.
Other business:
• The Board held a second reading of the Department of Health’s 2025 Environmental Program Costs. The board will hold a public hearing Nov. 19 at 8:10 a.m. to give business owners an opportunity to comment on the fees. The public hearing will be held in the second floor community room of the Jefferson County Tower Building and will take place immediately before the board’s regular 8:15 a.m. meeting.
• Events Committee Chair Suzanne Brown announced that the board will meet with department heads on Nov. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the second floor community room of the Tower Building. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Clint Koenig, Chairman of the Franklin County Board of Health.
• The Board approved four contracts or memorandums of understanding. Collaborate with the Mahoning County Department of Public Health to provide service connectivity and case management by nursing staff, renew on-call services for the Jefferson County Department of Employment and Family Services and McCullough Children’s Facility, Dr. Blaise Milburn and Pending Pediatrician provides clinical care for WIC patients and reviewed WIC nutrition services with Rhonda Seelig, Registered Dietitian.
• The board approved a $19,478.88 purchase order to the state treasurer for quarterly birth and death certificates.
• The board approved the employment of David McFarland as a hygienist-in-training with a starting salary of $21.50, effective Oct. 28. Henry said McFarland has completed preliminary training through his previous job, potentially saving him months of time that would otherwise be required for training.
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