Wednesday, July 27, 2016

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

Don’t Forget - New Meningococcal Vaccine Required for the Upcoming School Year

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Parents can do a number of things to ensure a healthy future for their child. One of the most important actions parents can take is to make sure their children are up to date on their vaccines. Following the recommended immunization schedule provides the best protection from serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases.

Getting vaccinated according to the recommended immunization schedule is one of the most important things a parent can do to protect their child’s health. Diseases can quickly spread among groups of children who aren’t vaccinated. Whether it’s a baby starting at a new child care facility, a toddler heading to preschool, a student going back to elementary, middle or high school – or even a college freshman – parents should check their child’s vaccination records.

Child care facilities, preschool programs, schools and colleges are prone to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Children in these settings can easily spread illnesses to one another due to poor hand washing, not covering their coughs, and other factors such as interacting in crowded environments.


Ohio Law

A new law in Ohio requires a vaccination against meningitis for students entering the 7th and 12th grades. The requirement starts with the 2016-2017 school year.

Ohio 7th Graders

  • meningococcal (serogroups A, C, W and Y) vaccine 
  • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) vaccine

Ohio 12th Graders

  • second dose of meningococcal vaccine 
  • must be administered on or after the 16th birthday (If the first dose of meningococcal vaccine was administered after the 16th birthday, a second dose is not required.)

About Meningoccal Disease

  • most commonly affects adolescents and young adults 
  • can cause death within hours (can be fatal in 24 to 48 hours)
  • can be prevented by vaccination 
  • symptoms are similar to flu
  • transmissible through contact with nasal secretions or the saliva of an infected person

How to Prevent

  • vaccination 
  • cover sneezes & coughs
  • don’t share eating utensils, drinking glasses or straws, or water bottles 
  • vaccination

Parents and guardians can learn more about meningococcal disease by talking to a healthcare provider or local health department about immunization and other ways to prevent this terrible and deadly disease. You can also learn more by visiting the National Meningitis Association at www.nmaus.org.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Who are Your Champions?

NEW THIS YEAR!

In celebration on National Health Center Week 2016, OACHC is launching a friendly competition to determine the Ultimate Health Center Champions. All of Ohio's Community Health Centers will be competing in three separate divisions; Heavyweight, Welterweight & Featherweight.

One winner in each weight class will be recognized based on the total number of votes received in that class.  There will also be a "Winner by Decision" that receives the most votes overall. Voters will be able to vote once a day per email address when the contest officially opens, so be sure to start voting on August 1st and keep coming back! Please see contest rules for more details.


The contest starts August 1st and will end August 15th. Check back at www.ohiochc.org/CHAMPS to learn more!

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

100K in 100 Days












Become the Voice for Ohio's Community Health Centers

Sign up to be a Health Center Advocate today! Whether Community Health Center staff, patient, board member, or supporter, we need YOU as a Health Center Advocate!  Keep informed on key developments and be notified when important Health Center policy issues are being considered by our state and federal policymakers.  Raise your voice today and keep our Health Centers strong and our communities healthy! 


Join the Movement

Campaign for America's Health Centers started an awesome challenge! They are trying to get 100,000 Health Center Advocates across the nation and we want to help spread the word and get as many advocates as possible! 

This challenge kicked of officially on May 11th, but it's not too late to help the cause! You have until the end of August to become a health center advocate and to get others to join the movement too.