Springfield-Greene County Health

10/21/2026

Keeping prescription or over-the-counter medications that are expired or that you don’t need any more can be dangerous for you and your family. Properly disposing of these medications can help prevent illness, drug misuse, accidental poisoning and environmental harm.

You can discard medications safely by using disposable prescription packets, year round drop off boxes or DEA Drug Take Back Day events, which are held twice a year.

The next Drug Take Back Day is coming up this Saturday, October 24! Drop off your medications from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Library Station, Lawrence Drug, CoxHealth Hamra Center, or Sam’s Club on E. Sunshine.

10/20/2026

Alright. You caught us 🤲 They’re actually all lies.
 
Vitamin A does not prevent measles. Only the MMR vaccine can do that. And actually, taking too much vitamin A to try to stop measles can be harmful. Yes, Vitamin A may be given to someone who has measles, but only in the right amount for their age and only for 2 days under the supervision of a health care provider.
 
Measles is extremely contagious! To keep it from spreading, about 95% of people in a community need to have immunity. While some older adults have natural immunity from when measles was more prevalent, the best way to hit that 95% target is to have as many people as possible get the MMR vaccine. In recent years, fewer people have gotten vaccinated, and measles outbreaks are happening again.
 
It’s never too late to get protection against measles! People born in the US before 1957 usually don’t need the MMR vaccine because they were likely exposed to measles as kids and are already immune. But people born after that? The MMR vaccine is likely recommended for you! Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated if you don’t have record of previous immunization.

10/16/2026

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10/15/2026

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. We honor and remember all parents who have lost their children. Your child matters and your experience matters. 🩷💜🩵

10/14/2026

Need to report something to our Animal Control team, but not sure how?

For emergencies, always call 911. But if it’s a non-emergent issue, you can call the Animal Shelter or submit a report form on our website.

10/09/2026

09/28/2026

You know what gives us the sunday scaries? Rabies.

Did you know bats are one of the most common carriers of rabies in Missouri? Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease. It spreads to people and pets through the bites or scratches of infected animals.

Best way to keep yourself and your pets safe? Keep your pets up to date on rabies vaccines and stay away from wildlife

09/21/2026

Measles has been on the news a lot, including here in Missouri. The MMR vaccine prevents measles in the majority of cases and reduces the severity of illness for those who may get sick. Check out whether it’s recommended to get an MMR vaccine based on a few simple questions!

PS - it’s technically not called a booster, but that’s getting into the weeds 🤓

09/18/2026

Our hope for our community is that no one ever has to encounter an aggressive dog. But it’s important to know how to protect yourself just in case.

Best case scenario: remove yourself from the situation if you can do so safely. If you can’t, keep these tips in mind:

- Don’t run. If a dog begins chasing you, stop moving. Running can trigger a dog’s instinct to chase.
- Keep your arms loose at your sides. Don’t wave or flail.
- Slowly back away while facing the dog. Don’t turn your back.
- If a dog knocks you down, don’t try to get up and run. Roll into a ball and use your hands and arms to cover your face, throat, and neck. Stay as still and quiet as possible until the dog moves away.

Once you can do so safely, call 911 to report the aggressive dog.