- 132 Water Street, Elizabethtown, NY 12932
- 518-873-3500
- health@essexcountyny.gov
Essex County, get ready for “Living Well in Essex County,” our new monthly newsletter! Sign up for health tips, rabies clinic updates, and seasonal health info. Just follow the link, pop in your email, and you’re all signed up! Sign up here!
Let No Tick Stick! 🕷️
That’s the title of our newest public service announcement — and it comes at a seasonal time when ticks are active in the fall. Local data shows a rise in tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis here in Essex County.
📈 Reported cases increased from 183 in 2023 to 269 in 2024 — a 46% jump.
Data also shows that residents aged 55 and older are being affected more often.
👈 Check out the prevention tips in our video!
Understanding our community’s well-being is at the core of what we do. Our Community Health Assessment (CHA) helps us identify Essex County’s health needs, strengths, and resources.
Earlier this year, 562 Essex County residents responded to our health survey, providing invaluable feedback. You told us that affordable housing, livable wages, access to healthcare, safe neighborhoods, and good schools are most important for a strong, healthy community, followed by a clean environment and resources for older adults.
You can check out the full summary of our Community Health Assessment Survey here.
NYSDOH COVID-19 Booster
How to Safely Catch at Bat
**Our Department serves as a safety net provider. This means, if you can't get an appointment at your regular healthcare provider, health center or local pharmacy, we can serve you.
Decades of research show that vaccines prevent disease. An overwhelming number of studies also show that they are safe and effective. But in recent years, some people have become concerned that vaccines are more dangerous than the diseases they prevent. An aggressive anti-vaccine movement is fueling their fears. Unfortunately, this has led some to delay or avoid vaccination.
It’s also one reason we are seeing the return of so many preventable diseases – like measles, mumps and whooping cough.
As a local health department we must:
Statement on Legislation Removing Non-Medical Exemption from School Vaccination Requirements
School Vaccination Requirements - NYSDOH Site Including Frequently Asked Questions
NYS Immunization Requirements for School Attendance Printable
Call for appointments 518-873-3500.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Please visit our COVID-19 Vax page for the most up to date information
We can bill:
Public Insurance: Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Child Health Plus, Fidelis Managed Care.
Private Insurance: Excellus or CDPHP.
Present your card at your appointment to receive services at no charge. If you are not covered by these health insurances we will provide you a receipt for service that you may submit to your insurance company to seek reimbursement.
This Department charges an at-cost rate plus administration fee —our rate/fees are adjusted down using a sliding fee scale based on household income.
COVID-19 - $128 per dose + $25 admin fee = $153.00
Flu vaccine - $18 per dose + $25 admin fee = $43.00
Flu vaccine high dose - $64 per dose + $25 admin fee = $89.00
We can now accept payment with GovPayNet - so you can swipe your debit or credit card here at our office or pay online.
Before you pay with GovPayNet we advise you to read the GovPayNet Fee Schedule and GovPayNet Terms of Service.
Please call our office at 518-873-3500 if you have questions about immunizations, fees or payment.
Current immunization recommendations
Top 20 Questions and Answers About Immunizations
We also field calls about vaccines and cancer prevention - such as the HPV vaccine.
Traveler's Vaccine Clinics
Mountain Medical Urgent Care Services call 518-523-7575 or 518-897-1000
Plattsburgh Industrial Med. Testing call 518-562-2009
St. Lawrence County Department of Health Department call 315-386-2325
Warren County Public Health call 518-761-6580
In Vermont, UVM Travel Clinic call 802-847-1045
❄️ HOLIDAY HUSTLE: #GetFitEssexCounty December Challenge! 🏃♀️🚶♂️
Get ready to crush the December Challenge! We know this month can be busy for many, so we're keeping things simple and achievable:
Walk, Run, or Hike 2 Miles Every Day in December!
A quick two miles a day to keep your momentum going through the holiday season.
The Benefits of Getting Outside This Winter:
Boost Your Mood: Exposure to natural light, even on cloudy days, can help combat the winter blues.
Strengthen Immunity: Fresh air and exercise are great for your immune system, helping you stay healthy for all the holiday festivities.
Enjoy the Quiet: Winter walkways and trails are often less crowded, offering a peaceful and restorative break from the holiday chaos.
Fill out the survey here
The Office of Cannabis Management’s adult-use cannabis program improves access to safer, tested products for consumers while supporting the foundation of an equitable cannabis industry. The key to learning how cannabis might affect you is understanding different potencies, terpene combinations, and product forms. Explore the consumer resources available below to learn how cannabis may affect you and tips on safer and responsible cannabis consumption.
All consumer resources are intended for individuals 21 and over.
To make sure you are purchasing cannabis from a licensed dispensary, here are the steps to take:
1. After locating a dispensary, look for the Dispensary Verification Tool, which is pictured below.
All licensed dispensaries are issued a Dispensary Verification Tool which is posted in the storefront. Scan the QR code to be directed to OCM's website with a list of all licensed adult-use cannabis dispensaries.
Find a Dispensary
Get Healthy North Country (gethealthynoco.org) Sign up for online workshops to manage chronic pain.
DYK about our Car seat Program, Breastfeeding Support, Reproductive Health & More? - Go to the Family Health Page to Learn More!
Sign Up Here for Better Choices Workshop
DYK about our Chronic Disease Self Management Opportunities & Resources? - Go to the Chronic Disease Page to Learn More!
