Livingston County Health Center has announced lab confirmation from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services of both U.K. and Indian variants of COVID-19 circulating in Livingston County. B.1.1.7-UK is labeled a variant of concern by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has shown to be 50 percent more contagious than […]
Tag: Department of Health and Senior Services
Livingston County Health Center to hold free curbside COVID-19 testing event
Livingston County Health Center announces a free Curbside Community COVID-19 Testing Event on Friday, May 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 800 Adam Drive location. Testing will be conducted curbside by health center staff while clients remain in their vehicles. A specimen will be taken from the lower nostril area, which is […]
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service partners with agencies to ensure vaccine for the homebound
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced a partnership between the Area Agencies on Aging, local public health agencies, and Emergency Medical Services to ensure homebound adults have a streamlined and accessible vaccination experience across the state. Understanding that various communities have already developed a plan for vaccinating homebound individuals in their area, […]
Free testing aims to curb STIs that went unchecked as COVID spread in Missouri
(Missouri Independent) – As the case counts of the novel coronavirus began to tick up last March across Missouri, providers who offer tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) found their resources were being pulled in two directions. Swabs were in short supply as they became needed for COVID-19 testing. Contact tracers, who reach out to […]
Push for disclosure of Missouri medical marijuana records runs into veto threat
(Missouri Independent) – An effort by lawmakers to require disclosure of ownership information for businesses granted medical marijuana licenses was derailed on Thursday when state regulators suggested a possible gubernatorial veto. On Tuesday, the Missouri House voted to require the Department of Health and Senior Services provide legislative oversight committees with records regarding who owns […]
Department of Health and Human Services authorizes Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine administration for children
Robert Knodell, Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and Dr. George Turabelidze, State Epidemiologist, signed the standing order for PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine administration for individuals 12 to 15 years in the state of Missouri. This is following the decision by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to recommend to […]
Missouri WIC to see temporary benefit increase
Missouri WIC is temporarily increasing the Cash Value Benefit for Fruit and Vegetable Purchases (CVB) to $35 per month for eligible women and children. WIC is the Department of Health and Senior Services Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The American Rescue Plan Act gave USDA authority to temporarily increase the CVB […]
Missouri WIC income guidelines updated for 2021-2022
Missouri WIC announces the release of the updated Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) effective April 1, 2021. WIC is the Department of Health and Senior Services Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) releases annual adjustments to the IEGs used in determining eligibility […]
Governor Parson announces Missouri National Guard to scale back COVID-19 vaccine support
As demand for the COVID-19 vaccine has significantly decreased in recent weeks, Governor Mike Parson announced the Missouri National Guard (MONG) has begun scaling back its involvement at mass vaccination site locations in May. The drawdown of National Guard members is set to be completed by June 1, 2021. “We are in a far different […]
Audio: Missouri’s marriage and divorce counts declined in 2020
A new state report says the number of marriages and divorces declined in Missouri last year. The provisional report from the state Department of Health and Senior Services says about 34,400 people were married in Missouri in 2020 – the lowest Missouri marriage count since 1959. The figure represents a six-point-one percent decline […]
DHSS announces final phase of electronic physician certification implementation for medical marijuana patients
The Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation at the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is rolling out the final phase of its online system for electronic physician certification of medical marijuana patients. The final step in implementing the system will be to remove the option for manual (paper) certification. Monday, the Department removed the […]
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: “Missouri vaccinators to resume use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine”
Missouri COVID-19 vaccinators will resume use of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. This decision was made following the announcement by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it has studied and confirmed that the pause on its use can be lifted. It was concluded that the known […]
Missouri’s work toward vaccine accessibility for those with disabilities highlighted at national level
Representatives from Missouri’s COVID-19 vaccine planning team will present to a national audience on the state’s efforts toward prioritizing those with disabilities for vaccination. The White House COVID-19 Response Team and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are hosting the virtual forum – Breaking Down Barriers for People Who Have Challenges Accessing COVID-19 Vaccination. […]
Audio: Missouri House Health Committee Chairman says former DHSS Director Williams “Did a fine job”
Two key Missouri lawmakers from opposite parties view Tuesday’s resignation of state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director, Dr. Randall Williams, very differently. Missouri House Health and Mental Health Policy Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Stephens (R-Bolivar) praises Dr. Williams, while House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) says the resignation was long overdue. Chairman Stephens says Williams […]
Audio: Head of Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services resigns
Missouri’s director of the Department of Health and Senior Services has resigned. A press release from Governor Parson’s office says the governor has accepted a letter of resignation from Dr. Randall Williams. Parson’s deputy chief of staff, Robert Knodell, will serve as the acting director of the state health department. The governor says […]
Governor Parson names Robert Knodell as Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Governor Mike Parson named Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Knodell as Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services effective immediately. Mr. Knodell has served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Parson since 2018. Over the past year, he has played an integral part in the state’s COVID-19 response efforts and […]
Audio: State health officials working closely with hotel in Macon after two cases of Legionnaires’ Disease reported
State health officials say two people diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease this month had used the hot tub and/or pool at a popular northern Missouri hotel in March. The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says the two people used the hot tub and/or pool at the Comfort Inn and Suites in […]
Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine paused in Missouri until further notice
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine administration is being paused in Missouri until further notice. “In an abundance of caution and as per federal guidelines, we are pausing vaccination with Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine until further notice in Missouri,” said Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). “We […]
Legislation creating needle exchange program to be heard by Missouri House
Bipartisan legislation creating a hypodermic needle exchange program will be heard by a Missouri House committee Tuesday afternoon in Jefferson City. State Sen. Holly Rehder (R-Scott City), who has sponsored the bill for several years, will testify before the Missouri House Emerging Issues Committee. Her two-page Senate Bill 64 has already received final approval from the Missouri […]
Missouri veterans homes open for new admissions
The Missouri Veterans Commission announces all seven Veteran Homes are taking applications for new admissions. The homes are located in Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mexico, Mount Vernon, St. James, St. Louis, and Warrensburg. At full capacity, the homes have a total of 1,238 beds that provide long-term skilled nursing care. “We are excited to be taking […]