News

COVID-19 & Flu Immunization Clinics

January 24, 2024

We are pleased to host Waterbury Ambulance Service, Inc. (WASI) for weekly vaccination clinics starting Saturday, February 3rd.

Immunizations for both COVID-19 and flu will be available.

COVID-19 & Flu Immunization Clinics:

Every Saturday February 3rd through March 2nd

9am-12pm at The Health Center in Plainfield

No appointment necessary.

Vaccines available to everyone ages 6 months and older.

Be wise – immunize.

Tripledemic

November 29, 2022

We have been seeing more RSV infections in kids, with some more severe cases than would be the norm in past years. Pediatric hospitals and ICUs have been overwhelmed in many cities. Ours at UVMMC and DHMC have been very busy, with some extremely sick kids, one from our area being air evacuated from the CVMC emergency room to DHMC. Happily she has been doing better after a couple of harrowing days.

The increased RSV case numbers probably reflect our having fewer cases the past two years, with masks and staying at home in the interval since COVID came, but the increased severity likely results from having less of the nonspecific immunity to other viral diseases which we manifest when having viruses such as influenza and even the usual “coughs and colds” in years with normal social contact, school classes, and family gatherings.

This is because having an illness, or a vaccination such as for Influenza, not only induces “disease specific” immunity but also causes “non specific immunity” to other, unrelated viruses.

More RSV is accompanying COVID in our communities, which is occurring at much higher rates than reported, since antigen test cases, whether tested at home or in medical practices, are not reported in the case counts in our state or others.

The COVID infection severity is much less in most instances, since most Vermonters, traditionally thoughtful and considerate, have had vaccinations and boosters. But this leaves the unvaccinated sitting ducks for the infection, with much higher odds of having to be hospitalized, of going to ICU, of being on a ventilator, and of dying, than those who have had their “shots”. It is not too late for getting vaccines and boosters at the state immunization site on East View Lane, toward the airport from the hospital in Berlin. You can find details on all of the walk-in vaccine clinics here.

And soon Influenza will reach us in force. We are starting to see cases in our area and in our medical practice. These reflect the factors detailed above, so the flu is earlier, more severe, and more apt to kill than at any time for the past 13 years. Getting an Influenza vaccination, available at office visits at The Health Center and at the state immunization site noted above, is the best smart move at this juncture, to protect not only one’s self but also contacts amongst family, friends, and coworkers.

There is no RSV shot. COVID primary two shot vaccination and the current bivalent booster are what is the best protection versus the coming winter surge. And getting an Influenza vaccination, with a special “stronger” dose for those sixty five years old and older, is especially important this year.

So please “Be Wise —- Immunize” for yourself and for everyone else.

Thanks, The Health Center Medical Staff

Importance of COVID Boosters / Post-COVID Syndrome

October 17, 2022

We are all hearing and reading conflicting information about the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic in our State and throughout the Nation, including a growing school of thought that the danger has mostly past, and that this infection is not much of a problem, due to vaccinations and / or immunity from having had the illness.

However, there is strong evidence to the contrary, including:

COVID-related deaths in our country are still at approximately 100,000 people a year
Even after vaccination, persons ages 83 years and older, are 300 times more likely to die from COVID, than younger persons
Persons ages 70-83 years (even after vaccination) are 120 times more likely to die, than younger persons
All unvaccinated people are still at very high risk of serious illness and death from COVID, as they have been throughout this pandemic.

Additionally, we should all be aware of the risk of developing very serious problems that occur after having COVID, even if one’s original symptoms were mild or undetectable. Labeled with various names, such as “post-COVID syndrome,” “long-COVID,” “chronic COVID,” and “post-acute COVID,” this is a collection of sometimes debilitating and disabling health issues that can occur within a period of weeks, and may last years, following active infection. The list of potential symptoms is extensive, with some of the more prominent being:

Prolonged and severe exhaustion and fatigue
Breathing problems/shortness of breath
Memory and cognition problems, sometimes described as “brain fog”
Joint and muscle aches/pain and other symptoms related to inflammation

These post-COVID symptoms, with various names and no clear consensus on treatment, are more prevalent in some groups, including women and older persons. The impact upon the lives and well-being of those who are affected by this problem is only beginning to be understood, and is likely to be a major public health concern for years to come.

Adult COVID vaccinations are now at their fourth iteration for those who are not high-risk, and at the fifth iteration for those who are. The booster vaccinations most recently offered have added to protection against serious illness, but also reduced the risk of having COVID a further 25%. Booster vaccinations are known to have reduced the incidence of post-COVID syndrome, by as much as 40%.

The Health Center strongly encourages all patients, community members, and the public to get vaccinated, whether it is your first, or any subsequent immunization. Vaccination is the only scientifically proven method to protect yourself and others against COVID, and its serious, disabling, after-affect – “post-COVID syndrome.”

Ruth Crose, MD – Retirement

June 30, 2022

Congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Ruth Crose, who is retiring today, June 30, 2022.

Dr. Crose is a family practice physician who began her work at The Health Center in 1979, 43 years ago. In her long career, she has cared for her patients of all ages with excellence and compassion. She has been a dedicated physician, often working long intervals of every other night coverage for The Health Center’s inpatient and outpatient practice.

She has brought to her patients a wealth of knowledge, always keeping abreast of current developments in medicine through continuing education activities.

We wish Ruth the very best in her retirement!

Preparing for Tick Season

June 28, 2022

We may have less ticks which transmit Lyme Disease this summer, since there was an interval of very cold temperatures this past winter when little snow was on the ground, making over wintering ticks vulnerable. On the other hand, our concern about tick bites has increased, as Babesiosis, a protozoan infection similar to malaria and transmitted by the same ticks, has been moving toward our area year by year. Last year there was a case in the Bennington area, so this is no longer a disease confined to Boston and areas northwest of that city.

Of perhaps greater concern is the finding of Powassan Virus, a highly lethal tick borne illness previously concentrated in the New York City area, transmitted this spring in Connecticut and in Maine. No antibiotics or anti-protozoan medications are effective against this new killer virus, and work on finding effective antiviral medications is just beginning.

So, perhaps fewer ticks this year, but greater concerns for what those in our area might transmit.

For years this seasonal notice to our patients contained instructions for how to reduce tick populations in our yard areas by 90% with the use of tick tubes containing Permethrin, a natural pesticide made from chrysanthemums, to kill the young ticks which live on white-footed mice, which nest with new young in April and July each year.

Last year, however, we were notified by the Department of Agriculture that, lacking licensure as a pesticide dealer, we cannot provide the details of how to make tick tubes. Thus our advice is to find this information online or to purchase tick tubes at retail outlets in the area. The homemade tick tubes are much less costly.

Whether the Department of Agriculture, apparently concerned about the effect of Permethrin on ground bees, consulted with the Department of Health, presumably concerned about Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, Erlichosis, Babesiosis, and the Powassan Virus, amongst other tick borne infections, in people, is not known to us.

If you are bitten by a tick, please call us at 802-454-8336 to speak with one of our nurses or providers; we can help you to determine whether you can take additional steps to decrease your chances of contracting Lyme disease. Keep the tick in a plastic bag so we can identify the species.

John D. Matthew, MD

Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccinations on Hold

April 13, 2021

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 6.8 million people. There have been 6 cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after the J & J vaccine. All of these cases have been in women between the ages of 18-48. In an abundance of caution, Vermont will follow the CDC and FDA recommendation to pause on giving any more J & J through Friday, April 16th.

The vaccine clinic at The Health Center will be suspended through Friday, as advised by the Vermont Department of Health. People are encouraged to go the Vermont Department of Health website for the most up to date information at www.healthvermont.gov or by calling 1-855-772-7878 and to re-schedule appointments.

We expect to be back on track very soon!

The Health Center Annual Report

April 7, 2021

A year ago we provided an annual report with accomplishments and optimism predominant themes, as we reported on the programs and activities of our organization.

Then came the pandemic and everything changed. We put some plans on hold and hurried to adapt to the new circumstances which included:

reduced “patient traffic” in our building
social distancing and mask wearing for all
moving the lab drawing to our annex building
many staff working from home with quick configuration of phones and computers to allow for this
our three younger physicians taking care of all our hospitalized patients,
a COVID-19 committee which met daily to develop procedures and safety guidelines for patients and staff including extensive surveillance staff testing
screening of all persons coming into the building
air cleaners and improved aerosol removal equipment for our dental work
changing our counseling and social work assistance to virtual visits
organization and distribution of an expanded meals / food program
expanded care management and resources to help individuals and families weather the worst sickness situation in a century and the worst economic situation since the Great Depression 90 years past.

Not surprisingly, our counseling services became busier than we had ever been, with waiting lists and hiring of new staff. When other dental practices in the area closed down, we continued to provide emergent / urgent dental care for the area and on the medical side, learned to route respiratory cases to the CVMC respiratory clinic. We did extra influenza vaccine clinics, since the influenza vaccine was the most effective defense against COVID-19 infection until vaccines became available.

Our staff has been fantastic: flexible, dedicated, and adaptable, ensuring that we continued to provide the best care we could manage for the people for whom we are responsible.

Now we truly see light at the end of the tunnel. Vermont has had the advantage of very good leadership in this crisis and of a considerate population which has cooperated with masking and social distancing requirements, resulting in amongst the lowest rates of COVID-19 infection in the nation. Most of our staff are fully vaccinated and enough time has passed for them to have very little chance of acquiring or carrying coronavirus. The state vaccination effort has been well done and many of our population have had their “shots”. We are beginning to provide vaccinations on our campus for our patients and the general public through the Vermont Department of Health and will have vaccine from the State and from the federal program for FQHCs.

The effect of the pandemic on health and illness has been mixed. We have seen very much less influenza, children’s viral infections, and strep throats, as examples, but have gotten behind with good blood pressure control, vaccinations, diabetes care, dental hygiene, and other determinants of longer term health. We will have some catching up to do in the medical, dental, and counseling practices. And children, upon returning to daycare and school, are apt to get “caught up” on having viral infections and the like. There will be ongoing consequences of unemployment, of economic disruption, and of children being behind in school work and social development. We anticipate there being a several year path to recovery and restoration to follow the current phase of rescue for our organization and those we serve.

We are looking forward to coming out of this crisis with steps toward normal operations, with our medical staff coming back to work in our facilities, the dental practice continuing at full steam, and mental health counseling to transition to more in person visits. We hope to be able to take some of our plans, such as having Saturday nutrition / food services in the north parking lot, out of the mothballs and back into active development. In the meantime, we are increasing our capacity as a point of distribution for vaccines to better serve our community. Our website will continue to reflect current updates and news. We look ahead to a better summer and a better next school year.

John D. Matthew, MD

Chief Executive Officer

COVID-19 Vaccinations for High-Risk Vermonters

March 11, 2021

People age 16-64 with certain health conditions (as well as anyone 65 and up) are eligible to schedule COVID-19 vaccines! Check out the VDH website https://www.healthvermont.gov/…/va…/getting-covid-19-vaccine for the list of conditions, as well as to schedule!

COVID-19 Vaccinations now available to Vermonters 65+

March 1, 2021

Great news, Vermont! People ages 65 and up are now eligible to make an appointment for FREE COVID-19 vaccines. For details on scheduling and how to sign up, visit HealthVermont.gov/MyVaccine

Health Insurance – Special Enrollment Period

February 15, 2021

Do you need health insurance? Vermont is offering a Special Enrollment Period from February 16th through May 14th for people who are currently uninsured. Call Vermont Health Connect at 855-899-9600 to enroll! More details can be found here.

Happy Holidays!

December 24, 2020

We are so grateful to be able to provide holiday meals and gifts to six families in our community thanks to the generosity of our wonderful staff! Isabel and Diamond are on the road helping Santa spread some joy!

Have you gotten your flu shot yet?

November 27, 2020

There is some preliminary data to suggest there could be a correlation between getting a flu shot and reducing risk of contracting a severe case of COVID-19. You can read about the research here.

Give us a call at 454-8336 if you would like to set up a time to come in for your flu shot.

Angela Shea, LICSW, LADC has joined our team!

November 20, 2020

We are very excited to announce that Angela Shea, LICSW, LADC has joined our team!

Angela has degrees in social work from Marquette University and Columbia University.

“Albert Einstein once said ‘In the midst of every crisis lies an opportunity.’ COVID 19 has indeed been a crisis on so many levels: security, health, housing, education, access to food and our ability to cope emotionally. Things that were already fractured are being tested even further. This can also be an opportunity: to slow down, check in with ourselves (and loved ones), or focus on what matters most. Maybe it’s even a time to ask for AND accept help. How has this crisis impacted you?

As a licensed clinical social worker, my role is to listen and thoughtfully reflect on what’s going on for you, both the good and the not so good. I approach this work from a behavioral perspective with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness. Areas of focus include depression, anxiety, substance misuse, stress management, maternal mental health, trauma and loss. Individual & group counseling. All ages welcome.”

If you are interested in meeting with Angela for counseling, please call our Mental Health office at 322-6601.

It’s Flu Shot Time!

September 29, 2020

It’s that time of year again – time to get your flu shot!
Did you know that people with diabetes are 3 times as likely to be hospitalized if they get the flu? And that your chances of having a first heart attack or stroke increase when you have the flu?
Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.
While always important to get your flu shot, it is especially important this year. By decreasing the number of people who need to be hospitalized due to the flu, we save hospital resources and beds for people who may need treatment for COVID-19.
Our supply of vaccine is somewhat smaller this year than in past years, so if you have an opportunity to get your shot at a pharmacy, please do so! We ask that you let us know so we can update your medical record.
Of course, we are happy to give you your flu shot here – please call us at 454-8336 to schedule! We may need to put you on a waiting list depending on how many vaccines we have available when you call.

The Health Center in Plainfield is pleased to announce that Dr. Krista Buckley has joined our medical staff to provide consulting family psychiatry services to our patients and others in Central Vermont.

August 18, 2020

Dr. Buckley grew up in Atlanta, GA. She got a degree in biology with a minor in Spanish from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She then attended medical school at the University of Vermont. Having fallen in love with both Vermont and a Vermonter, she stayed for residency and recently completed her psychiatry training at the University of Vermont Medical Center. She is thrilled to be staying in this wonderful state with her husband and 2 daughters and providing healthcare in a rural area. Dr. Buckley was drawn to psychiatry as it allows for hearing people’s full stories which is an honor every time. She has special interests within psychiatry of prevention, patient education, trauma-informed approaches, and global mental health. When not working she enjoys hiking, playing rugby, yoga, design, skiing and being with her family.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with Dr. Buckley, please ask your Primary Care Provider for a referral!

Contact Us

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157 Towne Ave., Plainfield, VT 05667

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