News & Current Events:

Travel Immunizations Available

Visiting Nurse Service established their Travel Immunization Program in 2006 at the encouragement of other organizations.  The Travel Immunization Program fills a need in the community by providing travel immunizations at an affordable cost to individuals. 

More than 61 million U.S. residents are expected to travel internationally.  Yet a large majority of them will not do the one thing that could mean the difference between a successful trip and a disaster: get vaccinated against diseases prevalent in the countries they’ll be visiting.

Studies have shown that while individuals believed that vaccines were effective for disease prevention, few are vaccinated for their journey. 

It is important to plan ahead.  Some vaccinations are given in a 2 to 3 shot series over a period of time.  It takes 14 to 30 days from the time of the immunization for some antibody production to take place.  Certain vaccines for different diseases should be administered 4 weeks apart.

VNS provides:

• Pre-travel Health Counseling & Recommendations with no consultation fee
• Comprehensive Travax Traveler Health Report, which include daily updates about activities of concern in other countries
• Yellow Fever certification site
• Malaria Information
• Education Packet
• Tuberculin Testing

Vaccines offered are:

• Flu
• Flu Mist
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella
• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Polio
• Rabies
• Tetanus-Diphtheria
• Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis
• Tuberculin Testing
• Twinrix (Hepatitis A & B)
• Typhoid & Typhoid Oral
• Varicella/ Chickenpox
• Yellow Fever

In addition to the above vaccines we are happy to provide two new vaccines:

• HPV (Human Papillomavirus) for females, ages 11 to 26
• Shingles (Zoster) for individuals 60 years and above

Vaccinations are provided at our office, 4701 N. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis. VNS offers to go out to any site without charge when five or more individuals are receiving vaccinations.

For more information on our program you may call Judy Moon at (317) 722-8299, Ext. 296, or email her at jmoon@vnsi.org.

Meningitis Clinics

Visiting Nurse Service, Inc. (VNS) and the Meningitis Foundation of America (MFA) are working together to encourage adolescents to get vaccinated against meningococcal disease. This disease can cause bacterial meningitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It is deceptive, potentially fatal and progresses rapidly. It hides behind flu-like symptoms such as headache, body aches, etc.; yet can kill a young adult in less than 48-hours. Meningococcal disease can also cause septicemia, a blood infection that can attack anywhere in the body but typically gravitates to the extremities. When this occurs, amputations of legs, arms, fingers or toes are often necessary.

VNS, with the support of MFA, will begin meningitis vaccination clinics at area schools using Menactra, a new vaccine that was approved in February 2005. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends Menactra for adolescents 11-years and older, college freshmen living in dormitories, and adults up to age 55. Reaching college freshman is especially important because they have the country’s highest rate of the disease at 5.1 cases per 100,000.

Clinics for 2007 are currently finished. You may contact VNS Immunization Department to schedule an appointment for the meningitis shot. Please call 317-722-8299 ext. 296.

2007 Bugbuster Flu and Pneumonia Shot Campaign

Visiting Nurse Service, Inc., the host of the 2007 Bugbuster Flu and Pneumonia Shot Campaign, presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, is gearing up for the 2007 season. If you are interested in a flu or pneumonia shot, you can make an appointment by calling (317) 722-8299, ext 120.

Cost: Flu Shots: $25 Pneumonia Shots: $40

Individuals who have Medicare Part B as their primary insurance may present their card at a clinic site and receive both the flu and pneumonia shot at no charge. VNS will submit all Medicare Part B claims to Medicare. If other insurance or HMO'S are the primary carrier and Medicare is secondary, then payment will be expected at the time of service. VNS accepts cash or check only. Half doses for children 35 months and younger is $15.

Flu Mist

Flu Mist, the live attenuated vaccine is also available by appointment. Call the Flu Department at 317.722.8299, ext 120 to make an appointment. FluMist is only approved for healthy persons 5 to 49 years of age.

Support Groups

Alzheimer’s Association Affiliated Caregivers Support Group

This group meets at the VNS Howard Regional Home Care and Hospice Office, located at 2800 S. Reed Road in Kokomo, the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00PM. For more information contact Sue Flasche at (765) 453-8357.

Walking through Grief

Walking is a healthy way to help cope with grief. Join Howard Regional Hospice every Wednesday at 8:00AM at the Kokomo Mall. Meet at the southeast mall entrance near Elder Beerman. No cost or registration is required. For more information call Joyce Brooks, Hospice Chaplain, at (765) 453-8558.

DC4Kids

This is a grief support program for children grades 1 – 8 and coping with divorce or the death of a loved one. It is co-sponsored by Crossroads Community Church. Meetings are every Monday evening from 6:00PM – 8:00pm at Crossroad Community Church located at 4254 S. 00 E.W. in Kokomo. Classes run through March 31. There is no cost; however, parents must call (765) 453-4626, ext. 15 to register their children.

Grief Gatherings

These are educational presentations to provide information for the bereaved and an opportunity to share with others who are in similar grief situations. There is no cost to attend. Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30PM – 8:00PM at the Northwoods Commons Activity Room located at 2501 Friendship Blvd. in Kokomo. For more information call Joyce Brooks, Hospice Chaplain, at (765) 453-8558.