Immunocompromised individuals now eligible for third dose of COVID-19 vaccine, County to host drive-through NARCAN event, and more
Montgomery County COVID-19 vaccine clinics offering third dose for immunocompromised individuals
The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) has begun accepting appointments for a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised individuals. Online registration is available at www.montcopa.org/COVID-19Vaccine.
CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised can make an appointment for any of our County-run COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics to receive a third dose. Individuals should bring their existing vaccination card and are required to sign a self-attestation form to confirm their eligibility for a third dose. Third doses must match the vaccine individuals received for their first and second dose. (i.e. if your first two doses were Moderna vaccine, your third dose must be Moderna vaccine as well).
To learn more about eligibility, click here.
Losing sleep over rent or utility bills?
If you are a renter living in Montgomery County and are having trouble paying your rent or utility bills due to COVID-19 or problems caused by the pandemic, you may be eligible for help.
Do you:
- Live in Montgomery County? You must reside in Montgomery County at the time you apply.
Have you:
- Been financially hurt by COVID, either directly or indirectly? You must show that COVID-19 has resulted in one or more of the following:
- Put you or someone else in your household on unemployment benefits.
- Reduced your household income or significantly increased your household costs.
- Created another type of financial hardship for your household.
Can you:
- Demonstrate a risk of homelessness or housing instability?
Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211, or visit https://yourwayhome.org/eruc to learn more.
Montco to hold NARCAN drive-through distribution event on August 31 in Norristown
The Montgomery County Overdose Task Force Working Group will host a free NARCAN® drive-through distribution event in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, on August 31. The event will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, 2 West Lafayette Street, Norristown, PA 19401.
“We want to continue to reduce the stigma and raise awareness about overdose treatment and resources,” said Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “NARCAN is an effective harm reduction tool that allows individuals to avoid the fatal effects of overdoses.”
Naloxone, also known as NARCAN, is an easy-to-use life-saving nasal spray that can halt the effects from a potentially fatal narcotic overdose. Individuals who show signs of an overdose can be revived with naloxone, until they are able to get medical treatment.
For individuals who need immediate support for crisis situations, please call the Montgomery County Mobile Crisis hotline at 855.634.4673. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for children, teens, adults and families.
To learn more, click here.
The Craft Marketplace celebrates its 10th anniversary at Pennypacker Mills
Craft Marketplace, where over 90 carefully selected artisans will sell unique handcrafted items, returns to historic Pennypacker Mills on Saturday, September 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is hosted by the Friends of Pennypacker Mills and admission and parking are free. Masks are required indoors and recommended outdoors for unvaccinated individuals.
This year’s craft selections include unique sterling and gemstone jewelry, wire and bead jewelry, beautiful fabric crafts and clothing, woolen wear made from alpaca, angora and llama, bird houses and feeders, pottery, baby items, soaps and balms, leather work, a wide variety of home décor, and so much more. What a wonderful way to select one-of-a-kind holiday or birthday gifts for someone special.
For a complete listing of vendors, click here.
Upcoming Parks, Trails and Historic Sites events
Montgomery County’s Parks, Trails and Historic Sites have a long list of events on tap to close out the summer and take us through the fall. Here’s a look at just some of what you and your family can enjoy in Montco in the day and weeks ahead! · August 26: Camping Story Adventure: Toddler Program – Story time will come alive at the Norristown Farm Park with some help from Imagine More: Story Adventure! Event runs from 10 am to 11 am. Learn more. · August 27: Nocturnal Bug Hunt – Come explore the creepy crawling insects that are active while your sleep at the Norristown Farm Park! Event takes place from 7:30 pm to 9 pm. More Details. · August 28: Historic Cooking, Ice Cream – Enjoy learning about and tasting historic ice cream from 11 am to 3 pm during Pottsgrove Manor’s final Open House Days event. More Details. · August 28: Butterfly Celebration – Join local experts at Upper Schuylkill Valley Park for a celebration of all things butterfly! Learn about these fascinating insects and enjoy some themed crafts! More Details. · August 28: Exploring the Night Sky – Norristown Farm Park will host the Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers from 2 pm to 3 pm for a crash course on observing the planets, stars, and more! Get more info. · September 10, 17, and 24: Growing Up Potts – Visit Pottsgrove Manor’s Facebook page at 12 noon for the release of Growing Up Potts, a digital series that showcases stories from the 13 children of the Potts family. To learn more, click here. · September 25: 10th Annual Upper Perkiomen Bird & Wildlife Festival – Bring the entire family out for a day of fun and learning at Green Lane Park. · October 9: 4th Annual Haunted Campground Hayride – Enjoy a hayride through our spooktacular and creepy campground at Green Lane Park. Festive crafts and tasty snacks will be offered at this family-friendly event. · October 16 German Fraktur and Pennsylvania Folk Art – Pottsgrove Manor also welcomes Brandyn Charlton, owner of At the Sign of the Black Bear, for his presentation German Fraktur and Pennsylvania Folk Art on October 16, at 1 pm. To learn more, click here. |
Montgomery County recommends masking indoors
The Montgomery County Commissioners in consultation with the Office of Public Health (OPH) announced that masking is recommended indoors for the general public. Montgomery County is also requiring masks for all staff and visitors to all county buildings and facilities. Both took effect as of August 16. The County is following CDC guidelines to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent spread of the virus. This is in accordance with the County’s previously released masking guidance for the general public. |
Pennsylvania CareerLink Montgomery County celebrates grand reopening of its Norristown location
The Pennsylvania CareerLink® Montgomery County, a proud partner of the American Job Center Network, celebrated its grand reopening earlier this month during a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Department of Labor and Industry and the Montgomery County Commissioners. PA CareerLink® Montgomery County continues to be a resource for those seeking help with finding employment and job training. While the unemployment rate is stabilizing, there are still an estimated 22,100 unemployed Montgomery County residents in the labor force. The PA CareerLink® Montgomery County continues to work to help people find employment through in-person and virtual assistance. Since April 2020, they have served 1,482 residents, provided 178 residents with training opportunities, and connected 322 residents to employment. With the PA CareerLink® Montgomery County office located inside the Montgomery County Health and Human Services Center, job seekers can access the multitude of services offered at the location including Community Connections, the county’s central intake for people requesting assistance in health and human services, including Senior Services; Public Health; Veterans Affairs; Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities and Early Intervention; Children and Youth, Early Learning Resource Center and more. Click here to learn more. |
County offers back to school immunizations at reopened health centers and COVID-19 clinics
As the back to school season begins, the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) wants to let parents and guardians know they now have more location options when scheduling their children for school-required immunizations. The County is now scheduling childhood immunizations at both its reopened Health Centers and County-run COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics. All required vaccines will be offered at Montgomery County Public Health Centers. In addition, the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) and Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) will be offered at the Montgomery County COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Willow Grove, Norristown, and Pottstown. Click here to learn more! |
Help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Montco!
COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities. The best way to keep COVID in check is to get vaccinated. If you feel sick or think you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, get tested! You can do both of these things, completely free, right here in Montgomery County. |
Get to know Montco and our Parks, Trails and Historic Sites even better
Our Parks, Trails and Historic Sites teams offer so many opportunities for you and your family to learn, grow and have fun! Often time you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home to do so!
Check out our Youtube page for a look at just some of what makes our Parks, Trails and Historic Sites – and Montco – so special!