Johnson County Department of Health and Environment

11/01/2026

Fall back on your clocks; stay ready with your stock! 🕰️

✅ Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries as needed, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
✅ Check expiration dates on food, bottled water and first-aid supplies in your emergency kit.
✅ Restock missing items and make sure flashlights work.

A few minutes now can help your household prepare for the unexpected.

10/30/2026

Halloween is for spooky surprises, not trips, falls or close calls. 🎃 A few simple steps can help everyone enjoy a safe night:

🔸Go with a group, and have an adult accompany young children.
▪️Carry flashlights and add reflective details to costumes.
🔸Use sidewalks and crosswalks and look both ways before crossing.
▪️Choose costumes that fit well and don’t block vision.
🔸Use battery-operated candles in pumpkins and keep walkways clear.

After the fun, save decorations for next year, compost pumpkins and put candy wrappers in the trash.

Find more tips for a happy and safe Halloween:

While the holiday is filled with fun and frights (and lots of candy), it’s important to follow expert guidance to ensure your Halloween is a happy one.

10/29/2026

You have the power to say "Boo!" to the flu and COVID-19, too, this fall.

🔸 Wash hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds.
🔸 Cover coughs and sneezes to keep germs from spreading.
🔸 Stay home when you're sick
🔸 Protect yourself with a flu & COVID-19 vaccine by Halloween (Oct. 31). Visit our walk-in clinic in Olathe to get vaccinated without an appointment. https://www.jocogov.org/department/health/immunizations

👻 Stay healthy, stay spooky and leave the scares to Halloween! 🎃

10/29/2026

Election Day is November 3. Here's a public health connection you may not have considered.

Our health is influenced by the conditions around us, including transportation, neighborhood safety, environmental quality and access to community services.

Decisions made by elected officials and public agencies can influence these conditions.

That's why elections are one part of the bigger picture when we talk about community health.

For official election information, visit the Johnson County Election Office at jocoelection.org .

10/28/2026

Did you know you can donate extra breast milk right here in Johnson County?

JCDHE is an official human milk donation drop-off location, making it more convenient for approved donors to help babies who need donated milk.

Donated milk is carefully screened and pasteurized before being provided to hospitals serving premature and medically fragile infants.

Have extra milk? Find out if you're eligible to donate at https://okmilkbank.org .

11875 S. Sunset Dr., Olathe, KS
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Know someone who's breastfeeding or pumping? Share this post! They might not know this opportunity exists.

10/27/2026

Within 48 hours of quitting smoking, your sense of smell and taste begin to improve. The Kansas To***co Quitline offers free resources and support to help you be successful in your quit journey from any type of to***co product including ci******es, e-ci******es and va**ng products, ci**rs, and chew. Visit ksquit.org or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to start your to***co-free journey today.

10/26/2026

The November-December 2026 issue of The Best Times magazine is on its way in the mail. 📬

It features a cover story on Johnson County Department of Health and Environment providing immunization to homebound residents.

Other articles in this issue include:
⏺ Celebrating 2027 Older Kansas Day
⏺ Ending 2026 Theatre in the Park season and unveiling 2027 lineup
⏺ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program providing free tax preparation services

Read The Best Times online now ➡️ jocogov.org/best-times/november-december-2026

10/26/2026

🎃 Say BOO to the flu and COVID, too!

Spooky movies and haunted houses are fun. Getting sick? That’s no treat. Make vaccination part of your October plans.

Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines at our Olathe walk-in immunization clinic. No appointment needed.

📍 11875 S. Sunset Drive, Olathe
🕗 Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
🕗 Friday: 8 a.m.–2 p.m.

More information: https://www.jocogov.org/department/health/immunizations

10/24/2026

It's Take Back Day! Check bathrooms, kitchen drawers, nightstands and travel bags for unwanted or expired medications. Bring them to a collection site near you from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today (Oct. 24): https://www.dea.gov/takebackday -locator

✅ Accepted: Prescription medications, patches, ointments/creams; over-the-counter medications, vitamins, pet medications, liquid medications (sealed in a plastic bag and under 4 ounces, depending on drop location).

🚫 Not accepted: Needles, syringes, sharps, inhalers, aerosol cans, illegal drugs, Epi pens, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, thermometers

Be sure to remove any labels on the bottles or use a permanent marker to black out personal health information, including name, address and health insurance data.

10/23/2026

We're in northeast Johnson County today giving flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible individuals ages 6 months and older at a special walk-in clinic.

📅 Friday, Oct. 23
🕘 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
📍 6000 Lamar Ave., Room 500, Mission, Kansas

Bring your health insurance card or payment with you. We accept all KanCare and most private insurance plans. Learn more: https://www.jocogov.org/department/health/immunizations/fees-immunizations

If you can’t attend this clinic, visit our walk-in immunization clinic in Olathe during regular business hours: https://www.jocogov.org/department/health/immunizations.

❗The Olathe immunization clinic is closed today so staff can provide vaccinations at this special event.

*****************************************

Hoy estamos en el noreste del condado de Johnson ofreciendo vacunas contra la gripe y el COVID-19 para personas elegibles a partir de los 6 meses de edad en una clínica especial de vacunación sin cita.

📅 Viernes 23 de octubre
🕘 De 9 a.m. a 3 p.m.
📍 6000 Lamar Ave., Sala 500, Mission, Kansas

Traiga su tarjeta de seguro médico o un método de pago. Aceptamos todos los planes de KanCare y la mayoría de los seguros médicos privados. Para más información: https://www.jocogov.org/department/health/immunizations/fees-immunizations

¿No puede asistir a esta clínica? Visite nuestra clínica de vacunación sin cita en Olathe durante el horario habitual de atención: https://www.jocogov.org/department/health/immunizations

❗La clínica de vacunación de Olathe está cerrada hoy para que el personal pueda administrar vacunas en este evento especial.