WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services leaders this week are reminding all Pennsylvanians to protect themselves against influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (COVID-19) this week. Encourage people to get up-to-date vaccinations every year to protect against RSV. It was officially launched on September 29th.
“It’s important to protect yourself and your family from serious illness by getting up-to-date on vaccinations before respiratory disease season gets into full swing,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “Vaccines are now available across the state, and it is safe to receive the influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines at the same time. The vaccines boost your body’s natural defenses against these viruses. Viral vaccines slow the spread of disease, prevent severe illness, and reduce the likelihood of hospitalization, especially in children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
During the 2023-2024 respiratory virus season, which occurred from October 1, 2023 to September 21, 2024, there were 178,243 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and approximately 500 deaths. It was a person. The number of emergency department visits diagnosed with the new coronavirus infection was 72,477, and the number of deaths was over 2,000. And 55,757 RSV infections were confirmed.
Most insurance plans cover COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus vaccinations, but for the underinsured and uninsured, local state health centers and You can get the COVID-19 vaccine through federally qualified health centers.
Eligible children can receive free COVID-19 vaccines, influenza vaccines, and other routine childhood immunizations through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
“Pennsylvanians should not hold back from getting a flu or COVID-19 vaccine for fear of an unexpected bill,” Pennsylvania Health Secretary Michael Humphries said in a statement. Cost should not be a barrier for Pennsylvanians who want a flu or COVID-19 vaccine. For insured Pennsylvania residents, health insurance companies must cover the full cost of certain recommended vaccines. If you go to an in-network provider, you won’t have to pay anything for your flu or COVID-19 vaccine, including copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. ”
COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations are being updated to protect against virus variants currently circulating across the country. Health care providers recommend these vaccines for people 6 months of age and older. Vaccination is especially important for high-risk groups, such as people over 65, people with certain medical conditions, and people who are at higher risk of developing complications from respiratory illnesses. Early clinical studies show that the 2024-2025 coronavirus vaccine protects against severe disease caused by new XEC variants.
Respiratory viruses have similar symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny or stuffy nose, headache, body aches, chills, and fatigue.
If you are a resident at high risk for more severe illness due to age or health conditions, contact your health care provider to qualify for antiviral medications that can be used to treat influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. We recommend that you visit and get tested early. If started early in the course of the disease, these drugs relieve symptoms, shorten the duration of viral infection, and reduce the risk of serious health consequences.
If consumers have questions about their insurance or have an issue with their insurance, such as a bill for a vaccine they shouldn’t have received, they can contact PID’s Bureau of Consumer Services online or by phone at 1-877-881-6388 ) you can contact us.
For more information and to find a vaccination site near you, visit vaccines.gov.
Starting next week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health will begin weekly updates of the latest respiratory virus season statistics on its respiratory virus dashboard to keep residents informed.
Congressman Kaufer of Westside COG hosts e-recycling event on October 24th in Forty-Fort.
Congressman Aaron Kaufer (R-Kingston, Westside Council of Governments) will co-host a community electronic recycling event on Thursday, October 24th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on the soccer field at the Luzerne County Sports Complex. Along Camryn Way, Forty Fort.
To participate, residents must pre-register and purchase a $35 tag at the municipality listed below. The tag is for cars, trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles under 1500 pounds.
One television or computer monitor is included in the tag price. Additional tags are required to use multiple TVs or computer monitors. Each additional television or computer monitor costs $30.
The following local governments are participating.
— Edwardsville: 470 Main St., Edwardsville, 570-288-6484.
— Exeter: 1101 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, 570-654-3001.
— Forty Fort: 1271 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, 570-287-8586.
— Kingston: 500 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, 570-288-4576.
— Swoyersville: 675 Main St., Swoyersville, 570-288-6581.
— West Pittston: 555 Exeter Ave., West Pittston, 570-655-7782.
— Western Wyoming: 464 West 8th St., West Wyoming, 570-693-1311.
— Wyoming: 277 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, 570-693-0291.
All eligible electronic equipment approved and accepted by Responsible Recycling Services is listed below. Damaged TVs or monitors with cracked screens will not be accepted.
Suitable recycled materials include: answering machines, CD players, camcorders, cameras, cell phones, cordless phones, copiers, DVD players, duplicating machines, fax machines, Game Boys, hard drives, laptops, and mainframe computer equipment. , microwave ovens, MP3 players, modems, Nintendo consoles, notebooks, pagers, personal computers, PlayStation consoles, printers, printed circuit boards, radios, remote controls, tape players, satellite receivers, scanners, servers, shredders, speakers, stereos, televisions , telephones, test equipment, transparency manufacturers, typewriters, uninterruptible power supply systems, VCRs, word processors, Xbox consoles, etc.
For more information about this event or any other state-related issues, please contact the Kaufer District Office, 161 Main St., Luzerne, at 570-283-1001. Information is also available online at RepKaufer.com or Facebook.com/RepKaufer.
Sen. Casey introduces bipartisan bill to seal records for low-level, non-violent crimes
Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania), along with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), will help millions of Americans by sealing the criminal records of low-level and non-violent offenders. We introduced a bipartisan bill that would give us a clean slate. He successfully completed his sentence.
The Clean Slate Act would remove significant barriers that many Americans face in finding a job, securing housing, and obtaining an education by eliminating simple drug possession and other low-level, nonviolent crimes involving marijuana. It automatically seals the federal records of individuals who have been convicted of a crime.
This legislation will help more than 70 million Americans fully participate in society, giving them a second chance to contribute to their communities and support their families.
“Automatically sealing records is an opportunity for millions of Americans to have a second chance at life,” Casey said. “This legislation will ensure that parents, workers, and families who successfully complete their sentences can build successful lives free from the burden of a low-level, nonviolent criminal history.”
More than 1 in 3 adults have some kind of criminal record, 9 in 10 employers, 4 in 5 landlords, and 3 in 5 universities conduct background checks to screen applicants. Because of this, they are unable to participate in many aspects of daily life.
The Clean Slate Act would clear hundreds of thousands of records by automatically sealing the federal arrest records of unconvicted individuals and those convicted of low-level, non-violent drug offenses after they successfully complete their sentences. It gives millions of Americans the opportunity to have a second chance at life.
It also establishes a new process that allows people to petition a federal district judge to review and potentially seal records for other nonviolent crimes that are not automatically sealed, allowing law enforcement to This will ensure access to all records made.
Rep. Cabell invites seniors to host ‘fraud seminar’ in Dallas on October 7th
In an ongoing effort to educate older residents about the latest financial fraud schemes and how to protect themselves, Rep. Mike Cabell, R-Butler Township, will host a fraud seminar in Dallas on Monday, October 7th. It is planned.
The free event begins at noon in the Meadows Manor Community Room, 200 Lake Street. Doors open at 10:30am. A complimentary lunch will be served at 11:15 a.m.
“Seniors are often the targets of these malicious scammers, who are always coming up with new ways to steal their money,” Cavell said. “We encourage local seniors to join us and learn how to avoid becoming victims of scams.”
The seminar will be led by David Shallcross, Senior Protection Director for the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. Topics covered include safety tips and the latest holiday scams.
Reservations required. Call Cabell’s Dallas office at 570-675-6000. Registration deadline is Monday, September 30th.
Mr. Baker, Mr. Cabell and Mr. Kaufer will co-host a veterans recognition event on Nov. 2 at Misericordia.
Congressman Mike Cavell (R-Butler Township), along with Senator Lisa Baker (R-Lehman Township) and Congressman Aaron Kaufer (R-Kingston), will once again be at the Veterans Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, November 2nd. We plan to co-host the expo with At Misericordia University.
“The event we hosted last November was well attended, and we anticipate a similar turnout this year,” the councilors said. “This is a small way to honor the service and sacrifice of our local veterans. This event also provides an opportunity to learn about the various programs and services available in our area.”
The day begins at 10 a.m. with a special Veterans Recognition Ceremony in the university’s Lemond Theater. Afterwards, veterans can stop by Insalaco Hall. There, dozens of vendors will gather until 1 p.m., and refreshments will be served as part of the event.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Veterans Center will be located in the theater parking lot and provide counseling services.
Expo attendees can also safely dispose of expired or unused medications at a drug drop box hosted by the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.
This event is open to all veterans who reside in Luzerne County. Veterans may bring a spouse or one guest.
Registration required. To RSVP, please contact Congressman Kabell’s office (570-675-6000) or Congressman Kaufer’s office (570-283-1001). Registration deadline is Friday, October 25th.
Contact Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
