Brazoria County, TX
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FAQs
Immunizations
- No, we provided immunizations to qualifying persons regardless of residency.
- No, our clinic only provides immunizations to those clients who qualify.' Please call your physician to get a titer drawn.
No, we are unable to provide physicals for anyone.' Please see your child's physician for a physical.' However, your child may receive
his/her immunizations necessary for school admission if they qualify under the Texas Vaccines for Children program.- Yes, a shot record is required for every visit, you may be turned away or visit may be prolonged until we can obtain your records.
- Brazoria County has an Indigent Health Care Program.' There are specific criteria you must meet to qualify.' Please see the Indigent
Care section of this website.' There is also a pharmaceutical assistance program called MAP.' More information about this program
can be found by calling 281-388-2699 for the Alvin location or 979-848-8090 for the Angleton location - Yes, adults (aged 19 years and older) that DO NOT HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE OF ANY KIND can receive vaccines from the Brazoria
County Health Department. Click here for more information: - You will need to fill out a Release of Records form in person at one of our locations, or print one out from the website and fax it to us.
A parent may consent to receive their child's record; however, if the child is 18 years or older, that client must consent for his/her own
record. Click here for more information in English. Click here for more information in Spanish. - Our services are free and the vaccines are provided by the TVFC program at no cost.
Is it possible to get medical care (sick visits or well visits), for my child when we come for immunizations?
No, we do not have a doctor available in our clinic.' We have licensed nurses to provide immunizations to those clients who qualify.- As long as the person needing vaccines does not have a fever of 100 degrees or more.
My new job or school requires a tuberculosis skin test (TST) prior to my start date.' May I receive a TST at your clinic?
No, we do not provide TSTs for the general public.' However, if you plan on receiving vaccines with us have the TST placed and
read prior to your visit with us.- A shot record and/or school form requesting vaccinations.
- Please see clinic sites under the immunizations tab.
Why can't you give shots to my child who has insurance?' Didn't you used to give shots to anyone who needed them?
Effective 1/1/2012 Due to State and Federal budget cuts, patients must now meet specific qualifications to receive vaccines
from the Brazoria County Health Department.
Indigent
- Click here to be redirected to the Application Link.
PHEP
- Click here to be redirected to the Form.
STD
- No.
- A blood draw is required for Syphilis and HIV testing; then a physical exam is performed by the physician for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing.
- After we have received your test results from the lab, you may obtain a copy from our clinic, by calling 24hrs in advance then
you will be required to provide a valid ID to pick up results. - Our services are free.
- For the testing, we do not require anything. If you have been tested and need treatment, you must provide a copy of your last positive test results.
- Should any of your results come back positive, you are asked to return on the following Tuesday for a 'follow-up test', 'test of cure' or further treatment.
- We test for 4 infections: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis and HIV.
- All specimens are sent to an outside lab; it takes 10 days from the time of your exam for our clinic to get results. *You will be
given a date, time, and a phone number to call for results. - Tuesdays only at 1pm, we ask everyone to be here at 12:30pm to fill out the required paperwork.
TB
- Yes, you must reside in Brazoria County to be seen in our clinic for tuberculosis, if you move after you have started treatment
you will be referred to the county you reside in. - TB germs are put into the air when a person with Tb disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These
germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. Persons who breathe in the air containing these
TB germs can become infected; this is called latent TB infection. - The general symptoms of TB disease include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. The symptoms
of TB disease of the lungs also include coughing, chest pain, and the coughing up of blood. Symptoms of TB disease in other parts
of the body depend on the area affected. - You will need to provide a copy of your immigration documents, any prior TB test results and/or chest x-rays, as well as treatments/medications
you have received from other facilities. - A positive TB skin test or TB blood test means that a person has been in contact with the TB germ. Other tests and screenings
will be needed to determine whether the person has latent TB or TB disease, such as a chest x-ray and/or a sputum specimen.
Treatment is then decided by the physician. - Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs,
but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. A person with TB can die if they do
not get treatment. - Latent TB infection (LTBI) is a condition in which TB bacteria are alive but inactive in the body. People with latent TB infection have
no symptoms, do not feel sick, and can NOT spread TB bacteria to others; but usually have a positive TB test, and may develop
active TB disease if not treated. Once latent TB has progressed, it is considered active TB disease - this is called Conversion. Active
TB disease is an illness in which TB bacteria are multiplying and attacking a part of the body, usually the lungs. A person with active
TB disease may be infectious and spread TB bacteria to others. - We provide surveillance, screening, and ensure adequate treatment of TB disease for SUSPECTED or CONFIRMED TB patients
that reside in Brazoria County.
Water Lab
- Most coliform bacteria do not cause diseases. There are some rare strains of E. coli that cause disease or even death. These are
usually found in raw are undercooked meat, especially ground beef. - Call the lab (979-864-1628) and we will provide you with a sterile container and instructions.
- Results are usually available the following day.
- The cost is $15.00 per sample.
- It is recommended to have private, domestic water wells tested once a year.
- Coliform bacteria are collectively referred to as indicator organisms because they indicate the presence of human or animal feces.
The coliform Escherichia coli (E. coli) will always be found in fresh pollution from warm blooded animals. Coliforms are also easily
identifiable in the laboratory making them excellent indicator organisms. - Contact the Water Lab to discuss the results. Information on well disinfection procedures will be given and, if needed, names
and contact numbers for local Well Operators that can help with well disinfection. - Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Click here to see our calendar
for days the lab is accepting samples.
WIC
- To apply for participation in the WIC Program, you can call or walk into your local WIC clinic to schedule an appointment.
Call 979-864-1576 or 979-388-1576 or 281-756-1576 to set an appointment for a WIC clinic in Brazoria - You need to apply in person.
- You need to meet income guidelines. WIC determines income based on gross income. We count all members of your household,
related or not related to you. We also count your unborn baby as part of your household. - If you bring proof of participation in Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF) no other documents are needed. If you participate in one of these programs, you may already be eligible for WIC. - Even if you don't qualify for one of these programs, you may still be eligible for WIC.
- You need to have a health and nutrition checkup at your WIC appointment. WIC will measure, weigh, and check the iron
level of each family member applying for WIC. This helps us write a "nutrition prescription" for a monthly food package
that best fits you or your family. - You need to live in Texas. WIC provides services in every county and U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility.
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding women
- Women who had a baby within the last six months
- Parents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children up to their 5th birthday
- Just like any other parent or guardian, fathers can bring their children to appointments, attend nutrition classes, and get benefits for their children.