NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners learned Tuesday that Brown County Public Health (BCPH) continues to offer a variety of COVID vaccine clinics in the coming days and weeks.
“Let’s get vaccinated. Our comeback story cannot be written without you,” read a Tuesday BCPH press release.
In her report, Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz said more than 60.6% of Brown County residents have completed vaccinations and 64.1% have at least one vaccine dose, which she said is the highest vaccination percentage in the area.
“We hope to get to 70 percent. We think there are people that want vaccinations, but have not made appointments yet,” said Moritz.
Clinics include:
• A Pfizer first dose clinic for anyone age 12 or older will be held 3:30 to 5:10 p.m., Wednesday, May 26 at the Brown County Community Services Building, 1117 Center St, New Ulm. The second dose will be given Wednesday, June 16. If under age 18, a parent must complete the consent and be present at the vaccination.
• A Moderna first dose clinic for anyone age 18 or over is set for 4 to 5 p.m., Thursday, May 27 at the New Ulm Civic Center, 1212 Franklin St. N. The second dose will be given Thursday, June 24.
• A drive-through or by appointment Johnson & Johnson vaccination clinic is 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 1 at the Brown County Community Services Building, 1117 Center for anyone age 18 or older. Call 507-233-6820 to register for an appointment or for help filling out a waitlist survey, or sign up at https://PublicHealthImmunizations/as.me/JJDrivethrough
“Our COVID case rate has really slowed down, which we’re pretty happy about,” Moritz said. “But we have seen some (COVID) hot spots in small communities. Most school staff were vaccinated. Some that were not vaccinated got sick.”
Moritz said a number of Brown County Public Health (BCPH) programs that were reduced, altered, or suspended due to COVID-19, are gradually returning.
She said in-person universal contact and targeted family home visiting, WIC (Women, Infants & Children) certification office visits and SCHA (South Country Health Alliance) care coordination annual assessments are returning.
In addition, public health is accepting additional referrals for targeted home visiting and public health nurse clinics.
Commissioners unanimously approved:
• Annual agreements between BCPH and Little Sprouts Learning Center, Sleepy Eye, new to BCPH daycare consultation services, motion by Commissioner Dave Borchert, seconded by Dean Simonsen. Little Sprouts provides daycare for infants and children plus has a pre-school program.
• Extending to Sept. 15, 2021 the allowance of vacation time accrual to exceed the 200 hour limit due to vacation requests denied for employees whose position duties and department staffing needs are directly impacted due to the COVID-19 virus, as approved by department heads and human resource director, motion by Borchert, second Simonsen.
• Family Facilitator Contracts with New Ulm, Sleepy Eye, and Springfield Schools for the 2021-22 school year, motion by Borchert, seconded by Scott Windschitl. Family facilitators provide case coordination and in-home family services for eligible students and their families. Rates for next year are not known until late June.
• The South Central Community-Based Initiative annual report. Grants fund case management for regional adult mental health services. Regional manager Jamie Hayes said a rapid response team was created recently and that online Zoom meetings decreased service response time and meeting and appointment no-shows.
• Bridge on Center Clubhouse Coordinator Jackie Nelson said she was happy to see small groups starting to meet again and community outings planned in June.
“Clubhouse members are sharing poems and drawings for our newsletter,” Nelson said.
A 10-minute Bridge on Center video presentation included a clubhouse member saying it was “a good place to see friends and get out of my space.”
Mental health staff agreed hybrid (in-person and online Zoom) events have been successful because in rural areas, some people miss appointments because they can’t find a ride.
Fritz Busch can be emailed at [email protected].
