Health

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health continue to hold Wednesday and Friday vaccine clinics for COVID-19 booster immunizations. The COVID-19 booster dose is now available for anyone who wishes to receive it, ages five and up, as long as it has been at least six months since their last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone will need to wear a mask and bring along any insurance cards.

Make an appointment for these Wednesday and Friday clinics by calling 563-568-5660. Vaccine is also available at the Waukon Gundersen Clinic, Hartig Drug, Nightingale Pharmacy and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic.

COVID-19 immunization clinics for all stages of the vaccine will continue to be held each Wednesday and Friday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Hospital.  For these Friday clinics, an appointment is necessary by calling 563-568-5660.

from the Iowa Department of Public Health and Veterans Memorial Hospital

Washing your hands and washing them well is a great way to help stop the spread of disease, especially the flu and, of course, COVID-19.   In addition to a flu shot and COVID-19 immunization, it is recommended good hand washing, along with eating a well-balanced diet and getting enough rest, will help stop the spread of the flu.  Flu shots and the COVID-19 vaccine are available locally and it’s not too late for anyone to get vaccinated.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health continues offering the flu shot each Wednesday and Friday at Veterans Memorial Hospital at the main entrance.  Make an appointment for this clinic by calling 563-568-5660.
COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines may be administered at the same visit, on the same day. For example, COVID-19 vaccines can safely and effectively be administered the same time as the flu vaccine.

The cost for a flu shot is $35 and Medicare does cover the cost. Billing for vaccinations will be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their Medicare number or private insurance card with them. If you do not have insurance that covers these you can also pay for these vaccines; however the COVID-19 vaccine is free. Appointments are required by calling 563-568-5660.

Friday, December 10, from 8:30 a.m. to Noon, a walk-in clinic for both COVID-19 and flu vaccines for all stages and all ages from five years and up will be held at the Main Entrance Meditation Room of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Everyone will need to wear a mask and bring any insurance cards they may have. They should also bring their vaccination card if they are coming for their second or booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 immunization clinics for all stages of the vaccine will continue to be held each Friday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. To receive a vaccination at these Friday clinics, an appointment is necessary by calling 563-568-5660.

Memorials were received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Drew Gaunitz by Dennis and Sandy Deal, Lollie Hirth, Helen Johnson, John and Lorna Kerndt, Jim and Jill Kiesau, Mike and Sue McMillan, Maury Mooney, Dr. Dave and Joan Schwartz,  Brian and Denise Wullner, and Brad and Erin Berns.

Memorials were also received in memory of Steve Mitchell by Ron and Nancy Adam; in memory of Dean and Clarian Gunderson by Alan and Kathy Gunderson; in memory of Tim Lough by Les and Ada Marie Kerndt and in memory of Kenneth Lough by Chuck and Lois Votsmier.
In addition, memorials were received in memory of Rose Snitker by Mary Ann Hager and Pat  Pettingill.

The 2021 Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy was held November 18-22 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion. This was the 30th annual Fantasy celebration and was held as an outdoor drive-through event with online silent auction in order to keep the event Covid-safe for the second year in a row.

Nearly 100 silent auction items were donated and available for viewing in the Fairgrounds Pavilion. All bidding was completed on-line for the first time ever, thanks to Sweeney Auction Service.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health continues to hold Friday afternoon vaccine clinics for COVID-19 booster immunizations  from 2-4 p.m. in the main entrance of the hospital.  This booster dose is now available for anyone who wishes to receive it, as long as it has been at least six months since their last dose of the COVID vaccine.

Make an appointment for these Friday afternoon clinics by calling 563-568-5660.  Vaccine is also available at the Waukon Gundersen Clinic, Hartig Drug, Nightingale Pharmacy and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic.

Wednesday, December 1, from 3-7 p.m. (or until supply runs out) a walk-in clinic for Pfizer vaccine for ages 5-11 only will be held at the ICN entrance of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Flu vaccine will also be available.  These immunization clinics will be held in the lower level of the hospital (along the golf course side). Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Everyone will need to wear a mask and bring their insurance cards. The Pfizer vaccine series for ages 5-11 is a two-part series. First and second doses of Pfizer vaccine need to be separated by at least 21 days.

COVID-19 immunization clinics for all stages of the vaccine will continue to be held Friday afternoons at Veterans Memorial Hospital. For these Friday clinics, an appointment is necessary by calling 563-568-5660.

The next LifeServe Blood Center Blood Drive will be held Monday, December 6, from 12-5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon to allow for more donors to give. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

The Blood Center is seeking donors to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply in Iowa. Because there is no substitute for human blood, the need for donors is continuous and is especially important over the holidays.

Over half of the United States population is eligible to donate blood, yet less than four percent donate on a regular basis. A single donation of blood can be used to save up to three lives and help in treatment of cancer patients, accident victims, hemophiliacs and surgery patients. The LifeServe Blood Center is committed to serving the needs of Iowans by saving lives through volunteer blood donation.

Veterans Memorial Hospital will hold a Prepared Childbirth Education class (formerly called Lamaze) Saturday, December 18, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Large Conference Room.

The Prepared Childbirth Education classes at Veterans Memorial Hospital are offered in one half-day session. Tours of the OB Department are available with these sessions as well. There is a small fee per session for the Prepared Childbirth Education classes that are offered every three months at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Preregistration is necessary, as seats are limited. To register, email childbirth@vmhospital.com or contact Jayne McCormick, RN, Nursing and OB Manager at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.