Springfield HHS News & Events

FREE Seasonal Flu Clinic

The Springfield Department of Health and Human Services is holding FREE SEASONAL FLU CLINICS

Influenza (otherwise known as the flu) is a highly contagious Infection of the respiratory system caused by the influenza virus. Illness can occur less than 24 hours after infection, with signs and symptoms ranging from mild to severe, such as sore throat, runny nose, high fever, body aches, and potentially death.

BE WISE....GET IMMUNIZED.

See here for flu clinic schedules.

Public Health Month 2011 Celeration

This year our April 2011 Public Health Month Celebration theme: SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT: LIVE INJURY-FREE is exciting and gives us an opportunity to collaborate with partners in the community who would not have considered themselves public health practitioners/advocates.

However, this year and maybe many years before our goals and missions are in alignment and we wish to take advantage of the occurrence.

We are sending out "A Call to Action" to all in the community who are working on, developing projects and initiatives in which the public's health is benefited by SAFETY - the prevention of injuries and violence in our community to partner with us during April 2011 with events, programs, teach-ins, and/or providing education materials.

Please join us at our planning meetings or be in contact with our staff person Bettye Anderson Frederic - bafrederic@springfieldcityhall.com (413) 787-6761 in demonstrating your willingness to share your project and highlight the wonderful work going on at your home, place of work and/or community organization. For more information on our theme, please visit http://www.apha.org/ To have your event published in April calendar, please download the calendar data sheet.

We would like to count on you.

Helen R. Caulton-Harris, Director, SDHHS

PUBLIC HEALTH MONTH CELEBRATION 2012 - LUMINARY AWARD

Each year in the month of April, the City of Springfield Department of Health & Human Services and community partners join the nation in celebrating public health. As part of that celebration the Public Health Luminary Award is presented to a member of the Springfield community. The recipient of the Luminary Award, through excellence and professionalism must be:

• A leader in raising community awareness of a public health issue, practice and intervention.
• One who has taken public health out of its traditional setting and into the community, thereby increasing awareness and advocacy through innovative and creative programming.
• One who inspires the entire community and advocate for change in the city of Springfield.

The Public Health Month Planning Committee is now accepting nominations for such outstanding leaders in our community.  Submit the completed nomination form to: Marcia MacKenzie, Chair Luminary Award, Alzheimer's Association; 264 Cottage St., Spingfield, MA 01104, by March 2, 2012. Download the Nomination form here.

ZOSTER (SHINGLES) VACCINE UPDATE

Due to an overwhelming response, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has advised us that the Zoster vaccine is NO LONGER AVAILABLE! The manufacturer was having problems meeting the demand so the Center for Communicable Disease has cancelled the contract.

If we get additional information at a later date, we will share it with the community.

Protecting the Health of You and Your Family

The Springfield Department of Health and Human Services is offering informative educational programs to protect your health, prevent the spread of illness and promote wellness.

For further information, please contact Elizabeth Porchelli, RN, at (413) 750-2084 or eporchelli@springfieldcityhall.com