HERMANN – Some Gasconade County residents are getting a headstart in preparing for the upcoming flu season.

“It’s only August,” said Gasconade County Health Department Administrator Kenna Fricke at last Monday’s meeting of the agency’s Board of Trustees. “I’ve got two (residents) coming in this afternoon” to receive influenza vaccine, she added.

Whether it’s out of concern of a bad flu season or just to get it out of the way, more residents are lining up for vaccination earlier this year than in the past, Fricke explained, saying the first flu shot already has been given – well before the end of summer.

The agency staff likely will be offering reminders of the need to get a flu shot to residents as part of their presentations during the upcoming Health Fair in Owensville. The event is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Fricke will have a supply of flu vaccine on hand for those attending the public event.

“I’ll be offering vaccine; Rhonda (Shieble) will be set up with WIC,” Fricke told the trustees.

WIC remains a popular program offered through the Health Department, especially in the southern portion of the county, which has more younger families. The northern end of the county has an older population and fewer residents who can take advantage of the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program.

In other matters, Fricke updated the board about the department’s role being part of District 21 (Gasconade and Osage counties) in the state’s rural health improvement program. Hermann Area District Hospital (HADH) has been named the hub for the district. As such, the hospital will be connecting the various public and private health organizations in the effort to improve the health of rural Missourians.

“I feel like we’re in a good place,” Fricke said, referring to the position the Health Department is in as part of the two-county venture aimed at better connecting residents with healthcare services. She credits HADH Administrator and CEO Bill Hellebusch with keeping the agency well informed of the statewide project.

“Bill is really keeping us on track,” she said.

Fricke also reminded the board of the department’s involvement in the upcoming Teen Drug Summit in Owensville in October. Held under the auspices of CRUSH – Community Resources United to Stop Heroin – the day-long event set for First Baptist Church will provide information to 7th-Grade students from throughout Gasconade County about combating drug addiction, particularly opioid addiction. The Summit is being funded in part with dollars made available through the county’s settlement fund resulting from a multi-county and state lawsuit against manufacturers and distributor of opioid-based medicine.

The event is being organized by Erica Horne, an officer with the Missouri Probation & Parole Office in Union. It will feature guest speakers, information and various activities aimed at helping teens resist drug abuse.

The Board of Trustees also held a public hearing at the outset of its regular monthly session on Aug. 31 to consider the proposed property tax rate for this year. The agency proposed a rate of $0.0908 per $100 assessed valuation, the same amount as last year. The board unanimously approved the rate that will be applied to this year’s tax bill.