Hi there,
Welcome to August! We are in the thick of summer festival and event season as well as back-to-school activities. I extend a personal invitation to you for some exciting events the Health Division is hosting and participating in this month. First, on Saturday, Aug. 3, join us in Pontiac at the Micah 6 Community Summer Slam. The event is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and will feature a variety of community resources, onsite services like immunizations, refreshments, and family fun! Last year, more than 700 pairs of shoes for back-to-school were provided at this event.
We are also hosting a Health & Housing Summer Fest on Monday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Southfield at Catalpa Oaks which is adjacent to our South Oakland Health Center. Enjoy food and fun activities for kids to enjoy while connecting with free health, breastfeeding and housing resources. We are excited to show you a handful of the community services we provide and connect you to many of our partner agencies as well. We hope you will join us! Find the most up-to-date information here.
In late June, updated recommendations were issued regarding the 2024-2025 COVID-19 and flu vaccines to protect against severe illness this fall and winter. CDC recommends the following:
- Everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine whether they have ever previously been vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Everyone 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions, receive an updated flu vaccine.
These recommendations will take effect as soon as the updated vaccines are available. It is safe to receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same visit. Visit our website at www.oakgov.com/health for updated information about availability of these vaccines.
CDC also recommends the following adults receive an RSV vaccine if they did not get one last year:
- Everyone ages 75 and older
- People ages 60–74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV, i.e. certain chronic medical conditions, such as lung or heart disease, or they live in nursing homes receive the RSV vaccine.
In good health,
Leigh-Anne Stafford, Director, Health and Human Services
Celebrate National Breastfeeding Month with us!
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the benefits of human milk while also promoting lactation resources and practices. We are hosting two Bridging the Breastfeeding Gap events this month to support breastfeeding individuals and professionals.
Join us for a free, family-friendly event on Monday, Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford.
The event will feature breastfeeding support, education and community resource tables, giveaways and a raffle, gift cards for the first 100 families and refreshments.
Monday, Aug. 12 from 10 – 11:30 a.m., we will feature a Virtual Bridging the Breastfeeding Gap event for professionals. Nekisha Killings, MPH, IBCLC, will share how professionals can identify common breastfeeding related conditions in patients. Sign up here. Lactation and nursing CEUs available.
Breastfeeding Month Tip
You may have read or heard from a friend or family member that certain foods may help you do well with breastfeeding. What is the truth about what you eat and breastfeeding? A normal, healthy diet is really all that is needed to maintain a milk supply and provide adequate nutrition for you and your baby. Certain components of a normal diet, such as calcium, iron, vitamin D, protein and folic acid intake are especially important when your body is producing milk. Learn more here.
During your breastfeeding journey, our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, WIC nutrition staff and lactation specialists and Public Health Nurses can help you better establish and maintain a healthy diet while breastfeeding and beyond.
Senior Market Days Kick Off in Oak Park
Our 2024 Senior Market Days kicks off during National Farmers Market Week, Aug. 4-10, at the Oak Park Farmers Market, 14300 Oak Park Blvd, Oak Park, on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sponsored by the Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP), Oakland County residents 60 years and older will receive a $5 coupon to spend at the market, while supplies last. Coupon distribution ends at 1:30 p.m. and must be spent that same day. Older adults can also enter a raffle, win prizes and find resources about Oakland County programs for older adults.
We encourage residents to visit farmers markets in support of local farmers and to purchase fresh and nutritious fruits and vegetables. Oakland County is home to more than 15 different farmers markets. Find a market near you.
Keep Your Vision Sharp During National Eye Exam Month
Eye exams and screenings are recommended throughout a person’s lifespan. Poor vision can affect someone’s ability to learn, read, stay healthy and safe. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, your eye health, vision, eye disease risk factors and age affect how often you should get an eye exam. Find out when an eye exam is best for you here.
Without vision insurance, eye exams can be expensive. Here are some organizations that assist you with low cost or free eye care:
Michigan law requires Oakland County Health Division to provide no cost vision and hearing screenings to preschool and school-age children over a child’s school years including Kindergarten entry. Screenings occur in most Oakland County public, private, and charter schools, preschools and at Health Division offices. Call 248-424-7070 to schedule a screening appointment at our offices.
Removing Cost Barriers for Vaccines
August is National Immunization Awareness Month when we raise awareness about the importance of vaccination for all ages, talk with healthcare providers, and staying stay up to date on vaccines, especially with the school year quickly approaching. There are several safe vaccines available to prevent serious disease like measles or polio and other vaccines that protect against serious complications from viruses like flu or COVID-19. Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended immunization schedule.
A Healthy People 2030 goal for our nation is to prevent infectious diseases by increasing vaccination rates. Yet, as we head into back-to-school season and back to increased exposure to germs and virus, vaccination rates among Oakland County school-aged kids have declined since 2015, especially among children who are on Medicaid insurance or uninsured. This disparity results from compounding factors such as limited access to providers who accept Medicaid insurance, fewer providers who participate in Vaccine for Children (VFC) due to administrative burden, and difficulty accessing providers who offer vaccines.
Oakland County Health Division offers vaccines to anyone, regardless of insurance, and participates in the VFC program so cost is not a barrier. Appointments are not required. Support is available to anyone who has questions or concerns about adult and child immunizations by contacting our team of Vaccination Community Navigators.
Our North and South Oakland Health Centers will have extended clinic hours for back-to-school immunizations on Tuesday, Aug. 20 and Thursday, Aug. 22 from 3 – 6:30 p.m. No appointments needed, walk-in services only. Also, the Health Division’s outreach team will host a back-to-school clinic at Centro Multicultural La Familia, 91 N. Saginaw Street, Pontiac, on Thursday, Aug. 22 from 2 – 5 p.m. Walk-ins welcome.
Oakland County "Festival of Flight" Offers Expanded Attractions
The Oakland County International Airport has unveiled a new name for its annual Open House & Air Show. The "Festival of Flight” will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 with the airshow scheduled from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to explore a diverse array of planes and military vehicles on display, watch performers in the air and on stage and take airplane and helicopter rides for $50 per person. Admission and parking to the Festival of Flight are free for all attendees.
 There are a wide variety of jobs open right now working for Oakland County. Health and Human Services is currently hiring for Public Health Nurses, Public Health Sanitarians, and part-time Public Health Technicians in our school-based Hearing and Vision screening program and more!
More Health Division info
Check out our webpage page for information about our services and various health topics. You can also call our Nurse on Call hotline at 1-800-848-5533, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oakgov.com/health is the best place to receive the latest information. Add, update, or opt out of Health Division email or text communications by clicking here.
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