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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.
Press Releases
January 06, 2022
Florida Department of Health Issues New COVID-19 Testing Guidance
Today, the Florida Department of Health (Department) issued updated testing guidance and recommendations to maximize the benefits of COVID-19 testing in Florida. A copy of the full COVID-19 testing guidance can be found here.
January 03, 2022
Florida Department of Health Urges Residents to get COVID-19 Vaccine
Today the U.S. Food & Drug Administration authorized expanded use of COVID-19 vaccine.
December 17, 2021
New Preventative Monoclonal Antibody for Immunocompromised Patients
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo to announce a new long-acting COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy from AstraZeneca will be available for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients and transplant recipients, at numerous health care provider locations in Florida, upon allocation from the federal government. A one pager about Evusheld can be found here.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, authorized Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster doses for all adults 18 and older six months after receiving their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. COVID-19 booster dose administration and eligibility are ultimately determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, guidance, and CDC advisors are meeting to make recommendations on boosters.
November 18, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Law
COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Law
November 04, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccination Information Guide
COVID-19 Vaccination Information Guide
October 29, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Update
On October 21, 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP) recommended the use of COVID-19 vaccination boosters for both the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and Janssen COVID19 vaccine (Johnson and Johnson) under the current emergency use authorization. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine boosters were previously recommended by ACIP on September 24, 2021.
October 19, 2021
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Now Available in Okeechobee County to Provide Treatment for COVID-19
On October 10, 2021, Okeechobee County welcomed the Florida Department of Emergency Management & the Florida Department of Health’s Monoclonal Antibody Therapy treatment for COVID-19. The treatment site is located at the Surgery Center of Okeechobee, 1655 US Highway 441 N, Okeechobee, FL 34972. The site is open for walk-up treatment or appointments every Sunday from 10am – 4pm. This treatment is being made available to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, at no-cost to the patient
August 23, 2021
August is National Immunization Month (NIAM)
August 20, 2021
Florida Department of Health Urges Residents to Avoid Contact with Wild and Stray Animals
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County (FDOH-Okeechobee) urges residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure. In Florida, raccoons, bats and foxes, and unvaccinated cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies. Other animals that are at high risk for rabies include skunks, otters, coyotes, bobcats, and stray or unvaccinated dogs and ferrets. Each year, Okeechobee County receives reports of rabid animals.
August 09, 2021
Health Officials Urge Mosquito-borne Illness Awareness
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County (DOH-Okeechobee) officials emphasize the importance of Florida’s residents and visitors protecting themselves against mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus disease. The public should remain diligent in preventative measures like “Drain and Cover.”
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County recognizes World Breastfeeding Week 2021. World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) occurs annually on the first week of August and represents a global celebration of breastfeeding efforts including breastfeeding promotion, support, education, research, progressive trends, and normalizing breastfeeding as the gold standard of infant nutrition. WBW aims to highlight the huge benefits that breastfeeding can bring to both the health and welfare of babies, as well as a wider push for Maternal health. Breastfeeding is the best way to give babies all the necessary nutrients and antibodies, which provide a vital shield of protection against disease, such as diarrhea and pneumonia. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, and then continuing breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods until your child is 12 months old or older. This provides your child with best nutrition that supports growth and development.
July 07, 2021
Uterine Fibroids Florida Data Brief
Uterine fibroids are benign growths in the uterus. They may cause excessive menstrual bleeding, pelvicpain, and other symptoms affecting quality of life. About 20%–80% of women develop fibroids by age 50.
June 27, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County Observes National HIV Testing Day 2021
National HIV Testing Day is observed each year on June 27 to encourage people to be aware of their HIV status. This year’s theme, “My Test, My Way,” highlights that there are many options available when it comes to HIV testing. The Florida Department of Health works with community partners throughout the state to help provide all Floridians access to the right tools for learning their HIV status and staying healthy.
June 16, 2021
Free Testing - HIV/STD and Hepatitis C - Free COVID Vaccines Available, Friday June 25
Free Testing - HIV/STD and Hepatitis C - Free COVID Vaccines Available, Friday June 25
With hurricane season officially starting June 1, the Florida Dept of Health in Okeechobee County encourages everyone to prepare for severe weather emergencies now.
On March 12, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) authorized State WIC Agencies to enhance the WIC benefit for a period of four months, expanding the vegetable and fruit voucher from $9/month for children and $11/month for women to $35 per month, per participant. WIC’s vegetable and fruit voucher is known as the Cash Value Benefit (CVB). The CVB is credited with improving the dietary quality of WIC participants and reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity among WIC toddlers.
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 2nd Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Thursday, May 27, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East). The Department of Health in Okeechobee will provide Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for this distribution by appointment only.
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 2nd Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Thursday, April 29, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East). The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 350 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available forthis distribution by appointment only.
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering free 1st Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines (individuals 18 years of age or older). The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 700 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment and from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. first come first serve until all vaccines have been distributed.
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering free 1st Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Saturday, April 24, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines (individuals 18 years of age or older or direct health careworkers). The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 500 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment or until all vaccines have been distributed, until 11:30 a.m.
April 19, 2021
04-19-2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 2nd Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Thursday, April 22, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines. The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 500 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment only.
April 14, 2021
04-15-2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 2nd Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Thursday, April 15, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines. The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 500 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment only.
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 1st Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines (individuals 18 years of age or older or direct health care workers). The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 500 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment only.
April 07, 2021
04-08-2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 2nd DoseModerna COVID-19 Vaccines, Thursday, April 8, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVICCENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines. TheDepartment of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 500 doses of Moderna COVID-19Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment only.
April 05, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County Encourages Everyone to Celebrate National Public Health Week, April 5-11, 2021
Each day of NPHW focusses on a particular public health topic. The hope is that each of us identify ways we can make a difference on that topic. These areas are critical to our future success in creating the healthiest county, state, and nation possible.
April 02, 2021
04-02-2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 1stdose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines at 8:00 am on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEEAGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to stateguidelines, 18 years of age and older by appointment only, or until all 500 COVID-19 vaccinesare distributed. Our number one goal in Florida is to stop the spread of COVID-19 which is aglobal pandemic. We are using every resource available to us, to get the vaccine out as soon aswe receive it according to the directives of Governor Ron DeSantis.
March 25, 2021
3-30-2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 1st Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines (individuals 40 years of age or older or direct health care workers or anyone who is deemed medically vulnerable with a physician form signed by a physician). The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 500 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment only.
March 22, 2021
3-22-2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 1st Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Tuesday, March 23 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines (individuals 50 years of age or older or direct health care workers or anyone who is deemed medically vulnerable with a physician form signed by physician). The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 500 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment only.
March 09, 2021
3-9-2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 2nd Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Thursday, March 11, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines. The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 500 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment only.
March 09, 2021
3-8-2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 1st Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines. The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 500 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment only.
March 05, 2021
3-5-2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
-The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will follow the directives sent down by Governor Ron Desantis. The demand for COVID-19 vaccine is far in excess of the supply the county has received so far. It is anticipated that additional supplies will be coming soon.
March 03, 2021
3-3-2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
-The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 2nd Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Thursday, March 4, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines. The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 500 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment only.
March 01, 2021
3-1-2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering 1st Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines, Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines (individuals 65 years of age or older or direct health care workers). The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 500 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment only.
February 10, 2021
2-10-21 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines at 8:30 AM on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines (individuals 65 years of age or older or direct health care workers). The Department of Health in Okeechobee anticipates 450 doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be available for this distribution by appointment only.
February 03, 2021
2-1-21 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will be offering Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines at 8:30am on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 at the OKEECHOBEE AGRI-CIVIC CENTER (4601 Fl Hwy 710 East) for eligible recipients according to state guidelines (over 65 years old or direct health care workers) until all vaccines are distributed.
January 26, 2021
1-26-21 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
There are no COVID-19 Vaccine appointments available at the Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County, 1728 NW 9th Avenue, Okeechobee FL 34972.
January 22, 2021
1-22-21 COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
COVID-19 Vaccine appointments available on Tuesday, 1/26/2021, in person only starting at 8 a.m. until all slots are full, at the Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County, 1728 NW 9th Avenue, Okeechobee FL 34972.
January 20, 2021
1-20-2021 COVID-19 Presss Release
There are NO COVID-19 Vaccine appointments available at this time at the Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County. No hay citas para la Vacuna del COVID-19 en este momento el Departmento de Salud de la Florida en el condado de Okeechobee.
January 19, 2021
1/19/21 COVID-19 Press Release
1/19/21 The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will start to take COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments on Wednesday 1/20/21 at 8 am both by phone and in person at the health department until all vaccine appointments have been filled.
January 11, 2021
1/11/21 COVID-19 Press Release
There are NO COVID-19 Vaccine appointments available at this time at the Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County. No hay citas para la Vacuna del COVID-19 en este momento el Departmento de Salud de la Florida en el condado de Okeechobee.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a scientific brief that providesoptions to reduce quarantine time frames for COVID-19 .
November 20, 2020
Florida Department of Health Recognizes Diabetes Awareness Month
Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health recognizes November as Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about diabetes and promote the importance of taking steps to confront diabetes as a critical health issue
September 30, 2020
COVID-19 Walk-Up Testing Site - September 30, 2020
COVID-19 Walk-Up Testing Site - September 30, 2020
September 21, 2020
Florida Department of Health Encourages Residents to Get Flu Shot Now
County health department is urging residents to contact their healthcare provider or pharmacy to get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. Once vaccinated, it takes about two weeks to offer protection.
August 10, 2020
COVID-19 Walk-Up Testing Site - August 11, 2020
Walk-Up Testing Site - August 11, 2020. View press release for entire article.
June 15, 2020
COVID-19 Walk-Up Testing Site - June 20, 2020
Free COVID-19 Walk-Up Testing Site - June 20, 2020 at the Okeechobee County Health Department
June 15, 2020
FDOH - Okeechobee Has Cloth Masks Available for Free
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County continues to work with residents, visitors, and community leaders to identify and isolate positive cases of COVID-19 in Okeechobee County.
June 03, 2020
FDOH - Okeechobee Urges Residents to Protect Themselves from Mosquito and Tick-Borne Illnesses
FDOH - Okeechobee Urges Residents to Protect Themselves from Mosquito and Tick-Borne Illnesses
For many months now, the Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County has been working with the residents and leaders of Douglas Park on a PACE EH project. The Bureau of Environmental Health adopted the National Association of City and County Health Officials' (NACCHO) Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health - PACE EH. County health departments work within their communitiesand address environmental health concerns.
January 09, 2020
Florida Surgeon General Urges Vaccination as Best Defense Against Rapidly Spreading Flu Virus
The Florida Department of Health (Department) is strongly encouraging all unvaccinated residents to get their flu shot as soon as possible. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu and its potentially serious complications.
January 01, 2020
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
October 01, 2019
Florida Department of Health Reminds Floridians to Protect Themselves From the Flu - The Best Way to Prevent the Flu is to get the Flu Vaccine
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County is reminding all Floridians to get their flu shot before the height of the upcoming flu season. Flu activity can begin as early as October and last as late as May. The best way to avoid the flu this season by getting a flu shot soon.
April 10, 2019
Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County Issues Hepatitis A Health Advisory – Encourages Vaccination
The Florida Department of Health reports several counties in the state of Florida are seeing an increase in the number of cases of Hepatitis A. Since 2018, 1293 cases have been reported statewide. Okeechobee has 4 confirmed cases since 2018 (2 cases in 2018 and 2 cases in 2019). Hepatitis A is a vaccine preventable communicable disease.
The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County recognizes the value in measuring health outcomes and today acknowledged the 2019 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps tool released by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This study highlights the many community factors that influence health and uses established data, much of which is available from the department at www.flhealthcharts.gov.
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