By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission approved updated fees for the Ellis County Health Department on Monday.

County Health Administrator Kerry McCue said the changes reflect the addition of a nurse practitioner in April.

The fees are before insurance covers any costs.

According to McCue, the updated fees also bring the county in line with other medical facilities in the community.

One service that saw a small increase was flu shots according to McCue.

“The regular flu (vaccine) went from $30 to $35,” McCue said. “Same thing with the high-dose (vaccine), it went from $60 to $65 and that’s reflective of the price of vaccines.”

The county also now offers FluBlok. McCue said the FluBlok vaccine is an egg-free vaccine that is recommended for people ages 50 and 65.

Also with the addition of Nurse Practitioner Maren Moody, the Health Department now offers physicals, something it had not offered before.

With flu season set to ramp up in the next several weeks, McCue said Monday they are now offering flu shots at the Ellis County Health Department.

“They can come in anytime now,” McCue said of people who may be interested in receiving a flu shot. “We’re starting to establish some of our clinics that we do in the community.”

Businesses in Ellis County who wish to set up a clinic can contact the Health Department.

In other business, the commission and the Public Building Commission approved three-year agreements with Adams Brown Beran and Ball for the firm to continue providing annual financial auditing services through 2020.

The commission also voted to adopt the new personnel policy effective Jan. 1.