Director of Public Health:
Laurel Headwell, MS
Assistant Director:
Angela Stuart Palmer, MS
Supervising PHN:
Kim Frederick, MS, RN
Fiscal Manager:
Tammy Mickan
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Address:
County Services Complex
2714 State Highway 29
Johnstown, NY 12095
Phone:
(518) 736-5720
Fax:
(518) 762-1382
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Public Health News
RSV Protection
RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the U.S. As a parent or care giver it’s important you know the symptoms and seek medical attention quickly.
RSV symptoms in infants and young children may include:
• Runny nose
• Irritability
• Eating or drinking less
• Cough, which may progress to wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Apnea (pauses in breathing for more than 10 seconds)
There are 2 ways to protect your infant from RSV. Most infants only need one, not both.
1. RSV vaccine given during pregnancy, between 32-36 weeks pregnant and usually given seasonally from September – January.
2. RSV antibody recommended for infants younger than 8 months old and usually given seasonally from October – March.
For more information visit:
• cdc.gov/rsv/infants-young-children
• healthychildren.org/.../RSV-When-Its-More-Than-Just-a-Cold
• Youtube: RSV Prevention Breakthrough: Protect Your Baby with Nirsevimab
Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month
January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Join thousands of U.S. firefighters – with and without cancer – who've signed up for the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. Help to understand and reduce this devastating disease in the fire service:
nfr.cdc.gov 
Recall of Yaomiao Children's Jewelry Sets
Yaomiao Children’s Jewelry Sets recalled due to risk of lead and cadmium poisoning.
Yaomiao Children’s Jewelry Sets Recalled Due to Risk of Lead and Cadmium 
Warming Center
The Kimball Street Warming Center run by Catholic Charities is open for the season from November 15th 2024 to April 15th 2025. It is located at 1 Kimball Street in Amsterdam, NY and hours run from 5pm to 7:30am the next day.
Offering:
• 10 beds
• Quick hot meals
• Washer and dryer for use
• Shower with available soap and towels
No guests please beyond 10pm for check in and no more than 2 bags of personal items. The Warming Center is available to adults 18yrs+ and no pets are allowed. Guests accepted on a first come first serve basis. Call 518-842-4202 ext. 3114 for more information.
Health and Air Quality
Good air quality is essential to our health. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an accurate tool used for communicating the safety levels of outdoor air quality.
Our air quality can be affected by pollutants which are often made up of fine particles that enter our lungs and can worsen many existing health conditions. The following groups of people should closely monitor air quality before spending time outdoors:
• People with heart or lung disease
• Older adults
• Children and teenagers
• People who are pregnant
• People who work outdoors
Everyone can monitor the Air Quality Index in their area at airnow.gov.
Visit health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/air/ to learn more about air quality and how it can affect your health. 
Early Intervention
Ensuring a bright future starts with early intervention for our children! Did you know that timely support and services can make a world of difference in a child's development? Fulton County Public Health is here to help! Whether it's developmental screenings or educational resources, we've got you covered.
Contact us at 518-736-5720 or scan the QR code to download our app and discover the range of services we offer. Let's give every child the best possible start in life!
RSV in Newborns
RSV can cause severe illness in newborns. Antibody immunizations can help protect against RSV.
Learn more: cdc.gov/.../protect-infants.html 
Education Records Organizer Binder Training
If you’re a caretaker who is coordinating education services for a child with special needs, Parent to Parent can help. Join them for a free in-person training to assist with organizing your child’s medical records and preparing a record-keeping binder to ease the special education planning process.
Monday January 27, 2025 @ 4:30pm
Parent to Parent NYS office – 500 Balltown Rd., Schenectady, NY 12304
Registration required: surveymonkey.com/r/DL2MJQ3
Signs of a Heart Attack
Do you know the signs of a heart attack? Heart attacks can happen at any moment, so it is important to know the signs so you can get help right away. Winter months have been noted to increase the risk of heart attacks due to cold weather, shoveling, and increased stress. If you or someone you are with are experiencing these symptoms CALL 911.
HPV Vaccine
here are more than 200 types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Most American men and women will contract at least one type of HPV virus during their lifetime.
HPV is the cause of almost all cervical cancers in women, and associated with approximately 70% of oropharyngeal cancers (cancer of the tongue and tonsils) in men.
The HPV vaccine is recommended for children between ages of 9 and 12, and more effective the sooner the child receives the vaccine. The HPV vaccine is also recommended for all people through age 26 if they have not yet received the immunization.
Talk to your and/or your child’s provider about the HPV vaccine.
Free Car Seat Program
Fulton County Public Health is proud to offer a Car Seat Program for Fulton County Residents. Do you need help installing a car seat? Do you need assistance purchasing a car seat? Qualifying individuals can receive a free infant seat, convertible seat, and/or booster seat.
Free Car Seat Check Clinics are being held every Wednesday from 10am-noon at Fulton County Public Health Department at 2714 St Hwy 29 in Johnstown, NY. Call us at 518-736-5720 to make an appointment or for more information.
Birth Certificates
Do you need a copy of your birth certificate? You can request a copy online, by phone, or by mail.
Click here: health.ny.gov/vital_records/birth.htm
or
Call Vital Records Call Center at (855) 322-1022 for more information.
Free Cancer Screening for Eligible Patients
St. Mary’s Breast Center is performing free cancer screening services for eligible patients on January 15th from 3pm-5pm.
Offering free breast exams, mammograms, pap smears, and pelvic exams.
Uninsured patients between the ages of 40-64 are eligible.
Please call Cancer Services for more information 518-841-3726.
Fight Lead Poisoning
Be aware of lead hazards in your home and how they can affect your children.
Learn more about lead poisoning prevention here: health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/
Keep It Moving Challenge
Stay active this New Year and join APHA’s Keep It Moving Challenge.
Earn points to help you stay motivated as you log activities.
The challenge runs from January 1 – April 13, 2025.
Visit hekahealth.com/apha25 to get started.
Free Cancer Screening for Eligible Patients
Nathan Littauer Hospital is performing free cancer screening for eligible patients on January 14th from 1-3pm.
Offering free breast exams, mammograms, pap smears, and pelvic exams.
Uninsured patients between the ages of 40-64 are eligible.
Please call Cancer Services for more information 518-841-3726.
Emergency Information
How you #StayInformed in an emergency isn’t carved in stone. Find several trusted sources of #emergency information & have multiple ways to receive alerts & warnings. Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/prepyourhealth/planahead/stayinformed/index.htm #PrepYourHealth
To find Rehab Centers that provide alcohol, drug, and other substance abuse rehabilitation you can call 1-866-972-0589. To find a list of rehabs in each state, visit https://freerehabcenters.org/
A growing public health crisis is suicide. Freerehabcenters.org has put together resources for the prevention of suicide including crisis lines, veterans suicide resources, youth suicide resources, and other mental health and suicide prevention resources. Visit https://www.freerehabcenters.org/article/suicide-prevention-resources to learn more.
The Fulton County Public Health Department under the direction of the Fulton County Board of Supervisors and the New York State Department of Health, seeks to promote wellness, to protect from disease, to prevent injury/disability, to prepare for emerging illness/disease and to assist Fulton County residents in attaining and maintaining optimal health.
Each person and/or their family will be educated in accessing health care and will be empowered to be responsible for the decisions regarding their health care needs. Many services offered by FCPH are provided free of charge; others have eligibility criteria and sliding fee scales are available for the uninsured.
For immunization or car seat appointments call 518-736-5720 to schedule your visit.
How do I go about getting rabies vaccination for my pet?
Pet immunization clinics are held periodically throughout the year. A copy of the current Rabies Clinic Vaccination flyer can be accessed by visiting https://www.fultoncountyny.gov/rabies>.
A nominal donation is requested. Rabies clinic dates are also advertised in local newspapers, on Facebook and posted in town halls. Clinic pre-registration is available by calling (518) 736-5720 three weeks prior to each clinic.
How do I reduce, prevent and eliminate lead in my home?
Please visit the New York State Department of Health's website at www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/ or the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/.
For specific questions, please contact our Lead Nurse here at Fulton County Public Health at (518) 736-5720.
How do I qualify for the low-income car seat program?
You or your child need to have some type of public assistance (WIC benefits, Medicaid, food stamps) or be below WIC income guidelines (200% of poverty). Additionally, you need to have a valid reason for needing a car seat.
You can sign up for an appointment by calling our office at (518) 736-5720 and asking to speak with our Child Passenger Safety Technician.
I am concerned about my child's development. Are there services available?
Early Intervention is for children with development delays from birth to age 3. Children are evaluated and if found eligible for the program may receive services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy or special education services (to name some).
Children ages 3-5 are evaluated through their local school district Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) to determine eligibility and services. Both programs are voluntary.
How do I get my immunization records?
Fulton County Public Health can provide copies of immunizations that were obtained in their office.
If your immunizations were not done at Fulton County Public Health, immunization records can be obtained from doctors' offices and schools (K-12 or college) attended.
How do I treat head lice and what are the school/daycare rules? Also, how do you treat for bedbugs?
Please watch this YouTube video: "Head Lice to Dead Lice."
For bed bugs, please watch this YouTube video: "7 Things You Should Know About Bed Bugs."
Where can I learn more about cooling centers in NYS?
Visit the NYS Department of Health at https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/about.htm
Where can I go to get more information on Cooling Assistance Benefits?
Visit the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) site at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#cooling-assistance
Where can I go to get more information on HEAP Heating Assistance programs?
Visit the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) site at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#regular-benefit
What is the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) and how do I learn more about it?
Visit the NYS Department of Health Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program site at https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/hpnap/
