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Carter County public health reports immunization and oral-health outreach, and ongoing nurse-recruitment challenges
Summary
Staff reported 141 immunizations in the quarter, completed daycare reviews with no findings, and ongoing efforts to recruit a part-time nurse to support immunizations and WIC; staff also described partners bringing mobile services to the county.
Public health staff reviewed recent outreach activities, service counts and workforce needs for Carter County.
Kirsty reported that in quarter 2 the department delivered 141 immunizations (about 99 adults and 42 children), ran a courthouse flu clinic that saw 73 people, conducted school-based clinics with 29 vaccinations and advertised walk-in flu days that had 13 visitor encounters. On oral health, staff said the school-based event served 37 children and an adult clinic served 15 people, including long-term-care residents. "If anybody is wanting flu vaccines, we are down to 9 regular dose flu shots and 16 high dose flu shots," Kirsty warned, urging residents to seek care while supplies last.
Staff also reported WIC caseloads and a completed daycare review: WIC stood at 14 participants at quarter end, and a daycare review of 18 child charts produced no findings. The department said it remains engaged with partners such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Smiles Across Montana and other mobile providers.
On staffing, the department described an unfilled public-health nursing role after a resignation. Managers said county HR posted the vacancy and they have had limited applicants; the stated goal is to secure coverage for an additional day each week and PRN support so that a nurse will be present in the office up to four days weekly. As staff put it, the role is necessary to maintain walk-in immunizations and WIC services. Board members noted the health department is advisory and not a funding body; staff said hiring decisions are managed through HR and may require outreach to local hospitals and clinics.
Why it matters: immunization and oral-health outreach are direct services to residents and depend on staffing and vaccine supply. The nurse vacancy affects service continuity for clinics and WIC reporting.
What's next: staff will continue recruitment efforts with HR and return with staffing updates. The board discussed coordinating with hospital partners and local providers to identify candidates and explore telehealth or mobile-service options such as SunBus.
