News from the Town Nurse

Hello all,

And happy continuing holiday season! I know we, as a community, continue to be very busy this time of year. So just a reminder to be careful when we are out and about during this high-risk respiratory illness season. The first line of defense from most viruses is handwashing, but also be careful when touching potentially dirty public surfaces, stay home if you are sick and keep children home if they are sick particularly if the child has a fever. We are concerned this winter about, what we are calling, the trifecta of respiratory illnesses: COVID-19, Respiratory syncytial Disease or RSV (particularly in children) and influenza. We are seeing a dearth of pediatric hospital beds because of the high incident of RSV needing hospital admission. We urge you all to get vaccinated against ‘flu and COVID-19. Currently, research is being conducted for an RSV vaccine. The testing is with adults and pregnant women at this point. Velocity Clinical Research is the primary research group and please call Vanessa at 401-297-0654 if you have an interest in participating

We have the ‘flu vaccine (Fluzone ® Quadrivalent) here at the Public Health Nurse office @ 27 Francis Farm Road now. If you’d like to receive the vaccine here, you may drop by or call for an appointment @ 508-252-5947 ext. 3127 or 508-962-4558. I am holding ‘flu vaccine clinics at the Senior Center on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12p-1p, walk-ins welcome. I am keeping a close eye on our stock of the vaccine, so we should have plenty, but I’d ask your patience, it will be first come (or booked) first served.

Anawan Pharmacy continues to hold COVID-19 vaccine clinic on specific days, you can book an appointment on-line at www.anawanpharmacy.com.  If you need help booking your appointment on-line, please call us here and we can help you at 508-252-5947 ext. 3127.

Also don’t forget we can come to your home with the vaccines if you have trouble leaving your home.
The Podiatry clinic for January is full, however please feel free to check in as we sometimes have cancellations.

We continue to offer the Caregiver Support Group on Mondays from 1p-2p and the Bereavement Support Group on Wednesdays from 1p-2p. All are welcome and there is no need to call or register. We hold the support groups here at the Public Health Nurses Office. Please come on over to us if you need support or would just like to check the meeting out to see if it meets your needs. The office will be closed on Friday, December 23rd and Monday, December 26th.

And so, my dear community, as you prepare and decorate for the winter holidays, consider this short list of cautions. Don’t leave live candles lit when you are not in that area of your home. As always don’t leave lit candles anywhere near small children. If you have an open lit fire in your home, keep presents, flowing clothing and small children safely away from it. Make sure all electrical lights or other electronic decorations are in good working order and not a fire risk. Watch out for your pets around holly berries, mistletoe, poinsettias, pine needles (choking hazard) amaryllis plants. All contain toxic substances that can seriously hurt your pet(s). And the happiest of holiday season to your and from us and ours!

Sincerely,
Geri and Stephanie