Buncombe County Health & Human Services

19/08/2025

¿Está su hijo/a listo/a para la escuela? - Is your child ready to go back to school?

08/08/2025

🕐 The countdown begins! The first day of school for Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools is August 25. Let your kids thrive this school year by getting the right supplies, a yummy breakfast, and the recommended vaccines to keep them healthy.

Kindergarten, seventh-grade, and 12th-grade students are required to get certain vaccinations in North Carolina. See the required vaccinations list here: https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/epidemiology/immunization/schools/k-12

Schedule an appointment with your health care provider or call the Buncombe County Immunization Clinic at 828-250-5096 to make an appointment or walk in Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 8 and 11:30 a.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday between 1 and 4:30 p.m.

To ensure everyone has a healthy start, regardless of insurance coverage, vaccines can be provided at low to no cost through the Vaccines for Children Program.

08/08/2025

Buncombe County has received reports that some residents have been receiving calls with an 828-250 prefix regarding Medicaid Part A & B. These calls are not from Buncombe County Health & Human Services.

Potential scammers may sometimes spoof numbers to make it appear a phone call is coming from a government agency. Medicaid will not call or email individuals to ask for personal information.

Protect Yourself:
Be cautious about providing personal information over the phone or online. Never share your social security number, Medicaid ID, or bank information, or any other personally identifiable information (PII) without verifying that the request is legitimate.

Call the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office at 828-250-6670 to report scam calls. Find more consumer protections tips, click the link in our bio.

31/07/2025

29/07/2025

28/07/2025

Congratulations to Buncombe County Health & Human Services’ Pharmacy Manager, Monica Dillingham!

Monica has been named 2025 Ambulatory Care Pharmacist of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP) for her incredible work providing access to medications for those impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.

This prestigious award recognizes pharmacists who demonstrate outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to their patients.

Monica credits the strong partnerships that made this response possible, including Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, MAHEC , UNCA School of Pharmacy, Western North Carolina Community Health Services, Mission Health, NC Board of Pharmacy, and NCAP.

"We have a close-knit community of pharmacies that continually put patients first, and I’m proud to be a part of it," Monica says.

25/07/2025

The Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board meets for a regular meeting today starting at 12:30 p.m. Items on the agenda include an update on the County's Harm Reduction Program, Public Health Policy Review, and more.

To watch live or view the recording later, visit: https://engage.buncombecounty.org/P12148

22/07/2025

To ensure a healthy school year full of learning, North Carolina requires certain vaccines for students entering K-12.

Do you know what vaccines your kindergartener, 7th grader, or 12th grader needs? Swipe through to view the requirements and make an appointment now with your healthcare provider to ensure your student has the vaccines required before school starts!

Vaccines are also available at the Buncombe County Immunizations Clinic at 40 Coxe Avenue in Downtown Asheville, open Monday through Friday. Call 828-250-5096 to make an appointment or walk-in on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 8 and 11:30 a.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday between 1 and 4:30 p.m.

22/07/2025

15/07/2025

Seasonal Safety: Summer Water Safety 🏊

Stay safe at the pool, lake, or beach this summer:
1. Know your limitations, including physical fitness, medical conditions.
2. Never swim alone; swim with lifeguards and/or water watchers present.
3. Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket appropriate for your weight and size and the water activity. Always wear a life jacket while boating, regardless of swimming skill.
4. Swim sober.
5. Understand the dangers of hyperventilation and hypoxic blackout.
5. Know how to call for help.
6. Understand and adjust for the unique risks of the water environment you are in, such as:
River currents, ocean rip currents, water temperature, shallow or unclear water, and underwater hazards, such as vegetation and animals.

15/07/2025

Find out if you can apply for SUN Bucks to get extra money this summer for groceries:

Your family can apply for 2025 NC SUN Bucks benefits IF...
✅ You have NOT been automatically enrolled for the benefit
✅ You have NOT already applied (applications are still being processed)
✅ Your child’s school participates in the National School Lunch Program/CEP (visit ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks-schoolsearch to see if your school is NSLP or CEP)
✅ Your household is income eligible
If you meet these conditions, you are invited to apply.
Visit ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks to learn more and apply for NC SUN Bucks.
SUN Bucks provides a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on a debit-like card to help purchase groceries during the summer months when school is out.
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ATENCIÓN: Tu familia puede solicitar los beneficios de NC SUN Bucks 2025 SI:
✅ NO has sido inscrito automáticamente
✅ Aún NO has presentado tu solicitud (las solicitudes aún se están procesando)
✅ La escuela de tu hijo participa en el Programa Nacional de Almuerzos Escolares o CEP (visita el sitio web: ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks-schoolsearch para ver si tu escuela es parte de NSLP o CEP)
✅ Tu hogar cumple con los requisitos de ingresos
Si cumples con estas condiciones, te invitamos a presentar una solicitud.
Visita ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks para obtener más información y solicitar NC SUN Bucks.
SUN Bucks ofrece un pago único de $120 por niño elegible en una tarjeta de débito para ayudar a comprar alimentos durante los meses de verano cuando la escuela está fuera de clases.

10/07/2025

Measles cases have hit the highest level in 33 years in the U.S., and North Carolina has experienced its first case this year.

Did you know that even if you recover from measles, it can cause long-term damage to the immune system, reducing immunity to other illnesses for years?

About measles
Symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and rash (3-5 days after initial symptoms).
Spread: through the air
If you suspect you have measles, stay home and contact your healthcare provider.

Buncombe County Health officials recommend that everyone protect themselves against this potentially dangerous illness.

The MMR vaccines is the safest and best protection against measles. Children should get two doses, and adults should have at least one dose. The vaccine is also now recommended for all international travelers.