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Public Health News

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is now accepting requests for COVID-19 vaccination for those who are eligible in Phase 1b Tier 1 of the state’s vaccination plan. All requests for vaccine must be made through a webform on the Public Health website.

People who are eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 1a or Phase 1b Tier 1 (B1) and need help accessing COVID-19 vaccine can submit a request form on the Public Health website. Public Health is connecting eligible people to local health care facilities with COVID-… Read More


Gov. Jay Inslee announced today the state is moving into Phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccination plan.

Clark and Cowlitz counties will continue to prioritize those who are eligible in Phase 1a for COVID-19 vaccination. Health officials expect both counties will be ready to move to Phase 1b later this week.

In Phase 1a, people who work in health care settings, high-risk first responders, and people who live or work in long-term care facilities are eligible to be vaccinated. County health departments are connecting eligible people to health care facilities… Read More


Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health continues to work with local health care facilities to vaccinate people who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Washington State Department of Health has prioritized the groups of people to be vaccinated in Phases 1a and 1b.

Clark County and Washington state are currently in Phase 1a. Vaccination for Phase 1b populations has not yet began.

In Phase 1a, people who work in health care settings, high-risk first responders, and people who live or work in long-term care facilities are eligible to be vaccinated. Local… Read More


Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Master Composter Recycler program is offering a free training this winter for people interested in becoming program volunteers. Anyone interested in composting and recycling, and who wants to be part of a community working toward a sustainable future should consider becoming a Master Composter Recycler volunteer.

The free training provides volunteers with the tools and knowledge to build a hot compost pile, tend a worm bin, clean with green cleaners, and reduce waste. Volunteers are asked to share what they learn by completing community service… Read More


Vancouver, Wash. – The Tower Mall COVID-19 Community Testing Site will open to the public at 9 am Tuesday and offer free testing five days per week.

The site will feature drive-thru and walk-up testing and is available at no cost to everyone, regardless of income level, health insurance coverage or immigration status. Testing at the site is recommended for people ages 4 and older who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The testing site will operate 9 am to 3:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday in the Tower… Read More


Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is teaming up with the nonprofit Medication Education & Disposal Project (MED-Project) to provide free disposal of expired, unwanted or unused medicine safely and conveniently. 

MED-Project provides residents with convenient, year-round medicine drop-off locations, such as pharmacies, medical facilities and law enforcement offices. In addition to its existing operational programs in several Washington counties, MED-Project has activated more than 150 additional drop-off sites across the state and has plans to add more sites.… Read More


After the holiday festivities end, Clark County Public Health urges residents to recycle their Christmas trees, rather than sending them to the landfill.

Before trees are recycled, all lights, tinsel, wire, ornaments and stands must be removed. Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and should be placed in the garbage.

Waste Connections will pick up trees from customers with yard debris or organics collection or regular garbage service available in most parts of the county. Trees taller than 5 feet must be cut into smaller sections no longer than 5 feet, regardless… Read More


A new state vital records law that changes the ordering requirements for birth and death certificates goes into effect on Jan. 1.

The last day to submit 2020 birth and death certificate orders is Dec. 29. This deadline is to ensure all orders placed in 2020 are completed before the new law goes into effect. Orders placed on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31 will be returned. All orders placed in 2021 must meet the requirements of the new law.

Beginning Jan. 1, only individuals with specific relationships to the person on the record being requested – birth or death certificate – can… Read More


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week announced options for shortening the recommended 14-day quarantine for people exposed to COVID-19. The Washington State Department of Health adopted those options, and Clark County Public Health and other health departments across Southwest Washington are also adopting the options for people who do not live or work in high-priority settings.

The CDC, state Department of Health and Clark County Public Health continue to recommend that people who have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 quarantine… Read More


During the holiday festivities, Clark County Solid Waste and Environmental Outreach encourages people to take steps to reduce their holiday waste.

Household waste in the U.S. increases by more than 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Trash cans fill up with holiday food waste, shopping bags, bows and ribbons, packaging, and wrapping paper that contribute an additional 1 million tons a week to our landfill. But by taking a few simple steps to reduce, reuse and recycle, the holiday season can be a little greener.

The holidays may look different this year, with… Read More