Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
Answer:
Durango Office: San Juan Basin Health Department is easily located by turning west onto Sawyer Drive from the traffic light at the Durango Mall on Highway 160.
Traveling west up the hill on Sawyer Drive you will see a two story building on your right, just past the Qwest building. There will be a sign by the road identifying the building as the Columbine Center.
Please park in the lower parking lot, enter the front doors and either take the elevator to your right up to the second level, or walk up the staircase on your left to the second level.
You will see the Front Desk to SJBHD on your left as you come off the elevator or staircase.
Traveling west up the hill on Sawyer Drive you will see a two story building on your right, just past the Qwest building. There will be a sign by the road identifying the building as the Columbine Center.
Please park in the lower parking lot, enter the front doors and either take the elevator to your right up to the second level, or walk up the staircase on your left to the second level.
You will see the Front Desk to SJBHD on your left as you come off the elevator or staircase.
Check in at the Front Desk to ask for directions to your destination.
Pagosa Office: Travel on Highway 160 to the downtown area of Pagosa Springs. Turn South on 8th Street between City Market and the Public Library. Drive 5 blocks south. San Juan Basin Health office is on the left, just before the city park.
What are your hours?
Answer:
Mondays: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm; and Tuesday through Friday: 8 am to 4:30 pm
Please note: the second Monday of every month, hours are modified to 10 a.m. to 4:30 due to staff meetings.
San Juan Basin Health Department is closed for the following holidays:
New Years Day
Martin Luther King Day
Presidents Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day/July 4
Thanksgiving and the following Friday
Christmas Day
Do you issue well permits?
Answer:
No, the State of Colorado issues these permits.
Please contact the Water Resources Division at 247-1845; 701 Camino del Rio.
Can I walk in anytime and get an immunization for my child?
Answer:
No.
Routine childhood and adult immunizations are offered on an appointment only basis every Monday (except Monday holidays) from 10:30 am – 5:30 pm. To make an appointment, call 970-247-5702.
How can someone obtain a birth or death certificate for someone born in Colorado or who died in La Plata County?
Answer:
Several options are available.
Click on: Birth & Death Certificates for more information.
I have an elderly parent who needs some help in the home. Does SJBHD provide any home health care services?
Answer:
Yes. San Juan Basin Health Department has a staff of nurses and personal care providers.
For more information about our Home Health programs, click here. Or contact our Director of Skilled Home Health Care at 970-2475702, Ext. 232 for additional information.
I need to get my water tested. Can I get this done at the Health Dept?
Answer:
San Juan Basin Health Department (SJBHD) conducts standard bacteria testing only.
Sample bottles to collect water are available at the Front Desk and must be returned within 30 hours of collection. Testing is done immediately and results are usually mailed within a day or two.
The cost is $20.25 when you return the water for testing. SJBHD does not invoice for this service.
Do you offer food safety classes?
Answer:
Yes.
For more information on the various Food Safety classes offered and most recent schedule, click here.
Do you provide dental services?
Answer:
No. San Juan Basin Health Department does not provide dental services. We do however; host the Smilemaker program for children. This is a preventative dental program with limited services and scope.
For more information about the Smilemaker program, click here or contact our Regional Dental Hygienist at 970-247-5702, Ext. 1743.
Are your health care services free for those who have no insurance or can’t pay?
Answer:
No. San Juan Basin Health does not offer free health care services. In some circumstances, sliding fee scales can be applied. We have specialists on staff who can help in applying for various programs such as Medicaid or CHP+ and EPSDT.
To learn more about these programs call 970-247-5702, Ext. 208. Or to learn more about applying to Medicaid or CHP+, click here.
I’m traveling to a foreign country. Can you help me get the required immunizations for foreign travel?
Answer:
Yes. Travel immunizations are arranged on an appointment only basis.
Please call 970-247-5702, Ext. 271 to speak to our Travel Immunization nurse.
To learn more about travel immunizations and costs, click here.
Do you offer the shingles vaccine?
Answer:
San Juan Basin Health Department does offer the shingles vaccine; however, it requires a consultation and an appointment.
Please call 970-247-5702, Ext. 271 to arrange for a consultation.
Does San Juan Basin Health offer services relating to septic permits?
Answer:
Yes. Please contact our Environmental Department at 970-247-5702, Ext. 222 for details and information concerning this process or click here.
Does SJBHD offer any specific health care services for women?
Answer:
Yes. San Juan Basin Health offers family planning and prenatal services. These include:
Annual Pap Smears
Birth Control
Various prenatal services
Appointments must be made for these services by calling 970-247-5702, Ext. 202.
Prenatal/Family Planning clinics are offered every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 am – 4:30 pm by appointment only. Prenatal/Family Planning services are not available during the lunch hour of noon – 1 pm Monday through Friday
Does San Juan Basin Health have any programs to help people quit smoking?
Answer:
Yes. Contact our Tobacco Cessation Coordinator at 970-247-5702, Ext. 236 to learn how San Juan Basin Health can help you quit smoking.
You can also access free state resources by visiting: co.quitnet.com or calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Do you have any programs to help people with substance abuse or that assist parents in identifying the problem?
Answer:
You can contact Kendra at 247-5702, ext. 225.
Here is a checklist that may be helpful in identifying whether you, a family member or friend are abusing alcohol or other drugs. Click here: A Confidential Personal Checklist
Top Ten Flu Questions
Answer:
WHEN WILL YOU BE GIVING FLU SHOTS?
Friday, October 19th 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Friday, October 26th 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For the general public, flu shots will be given out on special Friday flu clinics beginning October 19th and 26th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will take place in the Larkspur Room which is by the lower level parking lot. There should be ample parking with signs for additional overflow parking if that should be needed.
Parents who wish to get flu shots for their children are encouraged to schedule an appointment at our normal immunization clinics on Mondays by calling 247-5702.
Please check this website for additional times and updates or call our hotline 247-57012, ext. 1528 for further upcoming dates.
WILL THERE BE ANY SHORTAGE OF VACCINE THIS YEAR?
No shortage is expected this year; and the health department will be receiving 4000 doses this year for both La Plata and Archuleta Counties.
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS THIS YEAR AS TO WHO CAN GET FLU SHOTS?
No, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get one as long as they are over six months of age and do not have any medical contraindications; e.g. allergy to eggs, previous reaction to a flu shot, Guillian Barre Syndrome, uncontrolled neurological condition, acute febrile illness, etc.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GET A FLU SHOT?
Localized outbreaks of influenza or “flu” can occur as early as October but since 1976, 80% of influenza illness has occurred in January or later so vaccination efforts will continue throughout March, as long as we have vaccine. It takes two weeks after a flu shot for you to get the full protection from the vaccine so waiting until November or later is not usually a problem.
WHERE WILL YOU BE GIVING FLU SHOTS?
For adults (over 18 years old) we will be giving flu shots at sites in the community (senior meal sites) and at the health department. For children(less than 18 years old)flu shots will be administered at the health department by making an appointment for the regular immunization clinics.
WHAT IS THE PRICE FOR THE FLU SHOT?
It is $25 per shot unless you have Medicare Part B, Rocky Mountain Health Plan and you have your card with you at the clinic. We cannot bill Medicaid for adult flu shots your primary care physician must do this for you. We can bill Medicaid or CHP+ for children’s flu shots.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF A FLU SHOT?
This is a killed or inactivated vaccine, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine. Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, slight fever and body aches usually beginning soon after the shot and lasting only 1-2 days can occur.
WILL YOU BE GIVING ANY OTHER IMMUNIZATIONS AT THE FLU SHOT CLINICS?
Yes, we will also be giving pneumonia vaccine to those who are eligible. Pneumovax (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine) is only recommended for persons 65 years of age or older or anyone with a long-term health problem such as: heart or lung disease, sickle cell disease, diabetes, alcoholism, cirrhosis of the liver and persons who have a condition that lowers the body’s resistance to infection, such as: cancer, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, damaged or no spleen, organ transplant.
IF I HAVE HAD THE PNEUMONIA SHOT BEFORE, DO I NEED ANOTHER?
Usually one dose of pneumonia vaccine is all that is needed. A second dose is recommended for those people aged 65 and older who got their first dose before they were 65, if 5 or more years have passed since that dose. BRING ANY RECORDS YOU HAVE OF A PREVIOUS DOSE TO THE CLINIC.
Persons with the above medical conditions listed should also get a second dose if it has been 5 years or longer after the first dose. WE CANNOT ADMINISTER A PNEUMONIA SHOT TO ANYONE WHO DOES NOT MEET THIS CRITERIA; e.g cannot give a pneumonia shot every 5 years because your Dr. has recommended it. PLEASE SEE YOUR DOCTOR IF HE/SHE IS RECOMMENDING THE PNEUMONIA SHOT ON A DIFFERENT SCHEDULE THAN WHAT IS WRITTEN ABOVE.
WHAT IS THE CHARGE FOR A PNEUMONIA SHOT?
The adult pneumonia shot is $50.00 unless you have Medicare Part B, Rocky Mountain Health Plan, and you have your card with you at the clinic. MEDICARE WILL PAY FOR A SECOND DOSE ONLY IFYOU MEET THE ABOVE CRITERIA FOR RECEIVING A SECOND DOSE.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE PNEUMONIA SHOT?
About half of those who get the vaccine have very mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot is given. Less than 1% develop a fever, muscle aches, or more severe local reactions. Compared with the first dose of pneumonia vaccine, an increased rate of self limited local reactions has been observed with revaccination.