Codington County Public Health Reports 145 School Immunizations, Launches Flu Shots in Watertown Area

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Codington County Public Health Nurse Codi Storm delivered her quarterly update to commissioners Tuesday, reporting steady pregnancy case numbers, active school immunization clinics, and continued outreach despite temporary office constraints.

Storm said her office’s activity from July through September remained “pretty status quo,” with 13 mothers delivering during the quarter and 17 new mothers enrolling in services. “Overall pregnancy case numbers are pretty consistent,” she told commissioners.

School Immunizations Underway

Storm said the department has entered its busiest immunization period of the year. Staff conducted two school vaccination clinics ahead of the academic year:

·         Florence School — 20 immunizations for kindergarten and sixth‑grade students

·         Watertown Intermediate School — 125 immunizations for sixth‑grade students

“This is our third year going to both of them, and numbers are pretty steady from what they were last year,” Storm said. She noted the clinics help families comply with South Dakota’s requirement that children be vaccinated before attending school, reducing the need for parents to schedule clinic visits.

Flu vaccine doses have arrived, and Storm said the office will begin administering shots to school staff, community members, and state employees throughout October.

Countywide School Audits and Screenings

Storm reported that her office has begun auditing immunization records for kindergarten, sixth‑grade, and transfer students across Codington County.

At the end of September, staff completed hearing and vision screenings for Great Plains Lutheran, Henry, and St. Martin’s. Additional screenings — including hearing, vision, oral health, hygiene, and puberty education — are scheduled this month for Henry, Waverly, and Florence.

Office Operations Stable Despite Temporary Location

Storm said staff continue rotating between working in the office and at home due to space limitations at their temporary location. Even so, she reported no disruption in services.

“We haven’t really heard much from clients of not being able to find us,” Storm said. “Our text messages have our address changed. So overall things have been good.”

Flu Activity Appears Low

Commissioners asked about current flu trends. Storm said statewide reports have not yet begun, suggesting activity remains low. She reminded residents that the Public Health Nurse Office provides flu shots to anyone, with billing available for certain insurances and a small fee for those without coverage.