Communicable Disease, Immunizations,
and Preparedness

Disease control services include immunizations, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases; HIV counseling, testing, and referral; tuberculosis testing and treatment; and general communicable disease monitoring.

Communicable disease investigations follow protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control and the North Carolina Division of Public Health. Protocols for disease investigation and statistical data for North Carolina and Henderson County are available on the Division's web site.

Immunization Services
The Department of Public Health offers immunizations for children and adults. Immunizations are also available for those traveling outside of the United States.

Immunization Clinic hours are:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
8:00 - 11:30 AM & 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Thursday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM & 2:00 - 5:30 PM

Foreign travel immunization services are available by appointment only.

Announcement:
Effective February 1, 2009, the fee structure for immunization clinic services has changed. The Department of Public Health will begin charging an administration fee for all vaccines purchased from suppliers and administered through the clinic. Required immunizations administered to children with state-supplied vaccine will not incur the administration fee. For most vaccines, the cost of the vaccine decreased. Twinrix and Hepatitis B vaccine prices are the exception with those prices increasing. The administration fee for one vaccine is now $20.00, and $15.00 for all additional vaccines administered. The maximum administration fee is $35.00. For questions about the cost of vaccines and the fee structure, please call the immunization clinic at 694-6015.The Department of Public Health continues to make every effort to provide affordable vaccines for Henderson County residents.

Child Immunizations
North Carolina Statutues require that all children be immunized. All required childhood immunizations are available at no cost. Current immunization records are maintained and may be requested at any time during normal business hours. Current immunization schedules for children and adults are available from the North Carolina Immunization Branch.

For more information about immunizations, talk to your health care provider.Additional information is available by contacting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at 1-800-232-2522 (English) or 1-800-232-0233 (Spanish). Please visit the National Immunization Program.

School Requirements

Public Schools
Before a child can enter the Henderson County Public School System, the parent must demonstrate that the child has received all recommended immunizations. Immunization records may be requested during regular business hours. Immunizations required for school are posted at Immunize North Carolina.

Colleges
Colleges and universities in North Carolina require students to update their immunizations as part of the registration process. Please check with your college or university regarding their requirements.

Adult Immunizations
You are never too old to protect yourself against communicable diseases. Immunity for many common childhood illnesses wanes as we get older. New vaccines have been developed to protect older adults from some of the consequences of those childhood illnesses. Contact your health care provider to determine if you are at risk for some of these diseases or conditions. Fees may apply with some of the vaccinations. Please check with the department at 694-6015 for availability and current cost of adult vaccines. For a list of recommended vaccines, see Immunize North Carolina.

Foreign Travel
Foreign Travel services are severely limited at this time. Information on recommended vaccines and malaria prophylaxis for your foreign travel destination may be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at their Web site, www.cdc.gov/travel. Foreign travel services are available at other agencies in western North Carolina and commercial sites within driving distance. A list of providers is linked to this Web site. 

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Sexually Transmitted Disease
The Department of Public Health identifies, treats, tracks, and reports sexually transmitted diseases. Services are confidential. Call 692-4223 to ask for an appointment.

HIV Counseling
The Department of Public Health offers free and confidential counseling and testing services for HIV. Patients may call 694-6015 for an appointment.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is still a problem in the United States and North Carolina. In recent years, the CDC has noted a rise in the number of active TB cases. Our health department offers TB skin tests through the immunization clinic. Cost is $10 for routine tests required for employment, but there is no charge if the client is symptomatic for TB or has been determined to be a contact with someone with active TB. For a client with a positive skin test, a Communicable Disease Nurse will offer counseling, chest X-rays, medical referrals, contact tracing and testing, and provide medication. Tuberculosis Control Services are provided at no cost to the client.

Effective November 1, 2009, tuberculosis skin tests (TBST) will not be administered on Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Tuberculosis skin tests will continue to be administered on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. The client is required to return to the Immunization Clinic 72 hours after the skin test is placed to have the TB skin test evaluated by a nurse. Tuberculosis skin tests are most accurate at 72 hours after administration.  Patients with tests administered on Monday, Tuesday, or Friday can be seen at 72 hours for an accurate interpretation.

Additional information about tuberculosis in North Carolina is available at the state's website. The North Carolina Tuberculosis Control Program's Policy Manual is available on the web for review for health care professionals and the general public.

Preparedness
This Department of Public Health is part of a multi-disciplinary team that meets, trains, and exercises to be prepared in the event of a community-wide emergency, such as a disease outbreak or natural disaster. For information about the health department's role in emergency preparedness or to volunteer, contact Linda Weldon. For information on what you need to do to be prepared in the event of a disaster, visit Henderson County Emergency Management.

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