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Jefferson County health administrators report hiring, vaccination numbers and pharmacy changes
Summary
Health administrators told the board they hired two social workers and a fiscal coordinator, vaccinated 531 people this flu season and provided 41 childhood immunizations on Dec. 1; they said they plan to buy hospice medications through local pharmacies to reduce costs.
Jefferson County health administrators on Dec. 15 told the Board of Commissioners they have added social-work capacity and pivoted hospice medication purchasing to local pharmacies in an effort to save county money.
Crystal Vanhoutan and Wanda Agnew said the county recently hired a part-time social worker, a PRN social worker and a new fiscal coordinator, and is still recruiting a full‑time registered nurse to support home health and hospice services. They reported the Health Department has administered 531 total flu shots so far this season, including preservative‑free and high‑dose doses, and that public health nurses provided 41 childhood immunizations at Jefferson County North School on Dec. 1.
The administrators said public health staff met with county school nurses this fall to explore ways to raise vaccination rates in county schools. They also described moving hospice medication purchasing away from the current pharmacy benefits manager, Enclara, to local pharmacies (Valley Falls Pharmacy and FW Huston Pharmacy), which they said should reduce county costs and support local businesses.
Public Works Director Ben Domann was cited as assisting with the procurement process for a replacement truck for Jefferson County Environmental Specialist and wastewater operator Casey Keirns. The Health Department did not provide dollar estimates or a timeline for the pharmacy change or the truck purchase during the meeting.
The board did not take formal action on the staffing or pharmacy items during the meeting; the update was presented for the board’s information.
