Spencer County Health Department

05/22/2026

As we wrap up our 2026 Spring School Vaccine Clinics and as the school year comes to an end, we want to thank all the students, parents, and school staff who helped make this season a success!

If your child missed their school vaccine clinic and still needs immunizations, there's still time to get them caught up before the next school year. Our nursing staff is happy to help get your child scheduled!

Please contact the Spencer County Health Department at (812)649-4441 to schedule an appointment or to ask any questions about required school vaccines!

Have a great summer and we will see you next school year!

05/22/2026

Just a reminder! We are still accepting applications and hope to schedule interviews soon!
Monday- Friday! Hours are 8-4pm. 14 paid holidays off a year!
Send your resume to registrar@spencercountyhealth.com!

We have a full time nursing position open! To apply, please send your resume to registrar@spencercountyhealth.com

05/11/2026

We have a full time nursing position open! To apply, please send your resume to registrar@spencercountyhealth.com

05/07/2026

This an opportunity for free health services on Friday 9-11am at the Chrisney Community Apartments.

05/06/2026

There is a family in the southern part of our county that, due to medical reasons, is needing some help around the home with day to day activities and care needs. This family has given us permission to reach out on social media to see if there were any CNAs, nurses aids, etc. that would be willing to help. Please call the health department for more information. 812-649-4441

04/21/2026

In early April, the CDC put out a report that there is an increase in the number of rotavirus cases. Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea, fever, and other cold like symptoms. Rotavirus can quickly cause babies and young children to decline in health requiring hospitalizations due to dehydration.

The current vaccines for rotavirus was introduced in 2006. Since the vaccine, hospitalizations were down 80%. In developed countries, the vaccine has a 94% efficacy rate. Prior to the vaccine, it was estimated that the US had 20-60 deaths per year caused by this virus.

Rotavirus is a a 2-3 dose ORAL vaccine given at ages 2, 4, and 6 months.

04/20/2026

This week is National Infant Immunization Week! Are you expecting a child? Have a family member expecting? Already have a little one of your own? Just want to be educated on the infant vaccine schedule?

This week's education is for you!

Why is vaccinating your children important?

After COVID, the US has seen a concerning drop in the number of vaccines. Even small declines in vaccination coverage can result in an increase in the number of cases and outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases like measles that can cause serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

What does a typical infant (0 months- 1 year) vaccine schedule look like?
- At birth, HEP B is recommended. Depending on the season of delivery, an RSV vaccine may be recommended.
- The next set of vaccines that would be due is at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
- If a child is on a routine schedule, the 2 months-6 months appointments will typically offer most of the same vaccines:
- Pneumococcal Vaccine
- Rotavirus (oral vaccine)
- A combination vaccine of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis,
polio, hepatitis b, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- 12 month appointment:
- Hepatitis A
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- Varicella
- Pneumococcal Vaccine
The rest of this week's posts will be discussing each vaccine in the schedule, how to comfort your little one during and after the appointment, etc!

Vaccines can be a controversial topic of conversation and we want to help educate and ease fears in the best way possible. The goal is to always help parents make the best informed decision for THEIR child. No child is the same, and we want to help you in the best way!

04/17/2026

Did you know that April is National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month? The Spencer County Health Department wants to educate YOU on early detection and the importance of screening for cancers.

Last up: CERVICAL cancer
Cervical cancer incidence rates decreased by more than half from the mid-1970s to the mid-2000s, largely because of the increased use of screening, but they have stabilized over the past decade.

Rates have declined by 11% each year for women ages 20 to 24, probably reflecting the first signs of cancer prevention from HPV vaccination.

Risk Factors:
- HPV infection
- smoking
- weakened immune system
- history of a chlamydia infection
- family history

Signs and Symptoms:
-

Early Detection:
Women and other individuals with a cervix at average risk for cervical cancer (see below) should start screening at age 25 and continue until at least age 65.
The preferred screening option is primary HPV testing (testing only for HPV infection) on a cervical sample collected by your health care provider. This test should be done every 5 years (American Cancer Society).

When can cervical cancer screening be stopped?
You should only stop screening if you’ve been getting screened regularly. You can stop cervical cancer screening at age 65 if your most recent screening tests have been normal (American Cancer Society). **Discuss with your provider when to stop screening**

04/17/2026

Did you know that April is National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month? The Spencer County Health Department wants to educate YOU on early detection and the importance of screening for cancers.

For our LAST day of early cancer prevention and detection education, we are going to discuss LUNG and CERVICAL cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death in the US, accounting for about 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined (American Cancer Society).

Risk Factors:
- to***co smoke (The longer you smoke and the more packs a day you smoke, the greater your risk)
- secondhand smoke
- exposure to radon (Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks)
- Exposure to asbestos
- exposure to diesel exhaust
- inhaling carcinogenic chemicals
- beta carotene supplements (especially when combined with smoking)
- history of radiation therapy in lungs
- polluted air
- family history

Signs and Symptoms;
- A cough that does not go away or gets worse
- Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
- Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
- Hoarseness
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or weak
- Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back
- New onset of wheezing

Screening:
- Regular chest x-rays for individuals that are at increased risk
- low dose CT

04/16/2026

Did you know that April is National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month? The Spencer County Health Department wants to educate YOU on early detection and the importance of screening for cancers.
Next up: SKIN CANCER

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Most cases of skin cancer are caused by overexposure to UV rays from the sun, tanning beds, or sunlamps. UV rays can damage skin cells. In the short term, this damage can cause a sunburn. Over time, UV damage adds up, leading to changes in skin texture, premature skin aging, and sometimes skin cancer. UV rays also have been linked to eye conditions such as cataracts. (CDC)

A change in your skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. This could be a new growth, a sore that doesn't heal, or a change in a mole. Not all skin cancers look the same.

For melanoma specifically, a simple way to remember the warning signs is to remember the A-B-C-D-Es of melanoma:

A. Asymmetrical: Does the mole or spot have an irregular shape with two parts that look very different?

B. Border: Is the border irregular or jagged?

C. Color: Is the color uneven?

D. Diameter: Is the mole or spot larger than the size of a pea?

E. Evolving: Has the mole or spot changed during the past few weeks or months?

Talk to your doctor if you notice changes in your skin such as a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, a change in an old growth, or any of the A-B-C-D-Es of melanoma.

04/16/2026