Disease Prevention & Control

Immunizations

Childhood immunizations are available for those unable to obtain them through a private provider. A donation of $5.00 is requested for each childhood shot, but immunizations are provided regardless of whether a donation is made. Immunization clinics are offered in both Northfield and Faribault locations; call or visit the Public Health Department to see if you qualify and to schedule an appointment. In order to receive immunizations, children (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Mantoux tests and some additional vaccines for adults, including Tetanus/diphtheria, are also available for a fee. Call the Department for more information.

For up-to-date Rice County Public Health immunization clinic times and locations, please go to the News and Information section of this website and click on the Calendar of Events.

Each fall the Rice County Public Health Nursing Service offers influenza immunization clinics throughout Rice County. A schedule of clinics will be posted on this website in October or residents can call or visit the Public Health Department for clinic times and locations.

Information regarding immunization schedules can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/schedules.html#kids.

Communicable Disease Follow Up

Often working in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Health, Rice County Public Health conducts or participates in the follow-up of reports of communicable disease occurring in Rice County.

Emergency Response Planning

Rice County Public Health is actively involved, along with the Minnesota Department of Health and other local public health agencies, in developing and testing public health emergency response plans. This includes planning for mass clinics in case of a local or regional communicable disease outbreak and planning to assist the Minnesota Department of Health in areas such as disease surveillance, follow-up, and monitoring. Staff is available to meet with community groups to discuss this work and consider how Rice County residents can be involved in planning and response.

Rice County Public Health has also established a Reserve Nurse Program to provide additional public health nursing resources in case of a public health emergency occurring in Rice County. Currently licensed nurses who could be available to assist in case of an emergency and who would like to learn more about this program are encouraged to contact the Public Health Department and ask for Kim Viskocil or Mary Ho.

Mosquito-Transmitted Disease Prevention

Information regarding West Nile Virus and LaCrosse Encephalitis and steps that county residents can take to prevent these infections is available through the Public Health Department. The following websites contain information about mosquito-transmitted diseases: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm, www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/mosquitoborne/prevention.html, and www.mmcd.org.