Caldwell County schedules Feb. 12 MMR clinic as health leaders warn of measles resurgence and severe flu season
February 06, 2026 | Caldwell County, North Carolina
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Caldwell County Health Department announced an MMR clinic for the public on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the health department, and urged residents to check vaccine status and get vaccinated as needed.
Dr. Pickton, who delivered the clinic’s clinical update, said measles remains highly contagious and that recent case counts nationally and regionally show renewed risk. “There were 2,267 cases of measles in 2025,” he said, citing recent surveillance figures, and he urged residents to seek vaccination. He described the typical measles course and complications, noting children under 5, adults over 20 and immunocompromised people face higher risks.
Jordan Jeffries, representing health promotion, highlighted local immunization gains in the department’s 2025 annual report, saying the department recorded an approximately 27% increase in immunizations over 2024 and noted 3,199 immunizations in the report’s summary. Jeffries also said communicable-disease investigations numbered 1,112 and that the department’s community health assessment is identifying top priorities — mental health and substance abuse, transportation and cost of living — to shape a community health improvement plan due in draft by March.
Staff described the Athena patient-facing app rollout, saying residents can message providers and pay copays by text; staff reported improved response times and fewer phone calls between nurses and patients. The health department also noted state reporting systems are still under development, and staff are using interim Excel workarounds to meet reporting obligations.
On influenza, Dr. Pickton called the 2025–26 season “extremely high severity,” citing national tallies he reported of roughly 18,000,000 illnesses, 230,000 hospitalizations and 93,000 deaths for the season to date. He said the currently circulating H3N2 subclade may reduce vaccine effectiveness and that older adults have accounted for most deaths during this season.
The health department emphasized that measles elimination depends on maintaining vaccination coverage near 95% to preserve herd immunity and recommended prompt laboratory confirmation and contact tracing for suspect measles cases. “If you want a measles vaccine, come on by,” Dr. Pickton said, repeating the clinic date and hours.
The department also announced a staffing need: the county’s public health dentist, Dr. Janelle, has taken another position and the department is recruiting a replacement along with an additional clinical provider for the clinic.
Next steps: the department will operate the Feb. 12 MMR clinic and continue public outreach about measles and flu vaccination; the community health improvement plan first draft is expected to be submitted in March for internal review.
Dr. Pickton, who delivered the clinic’s clinical update, said measles remains highly contagious and that recent case counts nationally and regionally show renewed risk. “There were 2,267 cases of measles in 2025,” he said, citing recent surveillance figures, and he urged residents to seek vaccination. He described the typical measles course and complications, noting children under 5, adults over 20 and immunocompromised people face higher risks.
Jordan Jeffries, representing health promotion, highlighted local immunization gains in the department’s 2025 annual report, saying the department recorded an approximately 27% increase in immunizations over 2024 and noted 3,199 immunizations in the report’s summary. Jeffries also said communicable-disease investigations numbered 1,112 and that the department’s community health assessment is identifying top priorities — mental health and substance abuse, transportation and cost of living — to shape a community health improvement plan due in draft by March.
Staff described the Athena patient-facing app rollout, saying residents can message providers and pay copays by text; staff reported improved response times and fewer phone calls between nurses and patients. The health department also noted state reporting systems are still under development, and staff are using interim Excel workarounds to meet reporting obligations.
On influenza, Dr. Pickton called the 2025–26 season “extremely high severity,” citing national tallies he reported of roughly 18,000,000 illnesses, 230,000 hospitalizations and 93,000 deaths for the season to date. He said the currently circulating H3N2 subclade may reduce vaccine effectiveness and that older adults have accounted for most deaths during this season.
The health department emphasized that measles elimination depends on maintaining vaccination coverage near 95% to preserve herd immunity and recommended prompt laboratory confirmation and contact tracing for suspect measles cases. “If you want a measles vaccine, come on by,” Dr. Pickton said, repeating the clinic date and hours.
The department also announced a staffing need: the county’s public health dentist, Dr. Janelle, has taken another position and the department is recruiting a replacement along with an additional clinical provider for the clinic.
Next steps: the department will operate the Feb. 12 MMR clinic and continue public outreach about measles and flu vaccination; the community health improvement plan first draft is expected to be submitted in March for internal review.
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