Public Health Nursing Division: National Public Health Week
This National Public Health Week, we celebrate the nurses and staff of the Barnstable County Public Health Nursing Division, a small but mighty team whose reach spans all 15 towns of Cape Cod. From vaccine clinics on the tip of Provincetown to health screenings in Falmouth, our public health nurses are on the front lines of keeping this community healthy, informed, and protected.
The Division is staffed by a core team of 3 dedicated public health nurses, bolstered by 13 contract nurses who extend our capacity across the region. Together, they make possible a remarkable range of programs that touch thousands of lives every year.
Fiscal Year 25 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) by the Numbers
- 1,400 Flu Immunizations
- 400 Covid-19 Boosters administered
- 60 vaccine clinics held
- 998 Free VFC immunizations to children
- 245 Travel Vaccines administered
- 58 Community Health Events
- 1,392 Individuals reached through Biometric screening
- 1,290 students reached via sun and tick safety education
Protecting the Community Through Prevention
The Public Health Immunization Program remains a cornerstone of the Division’s work, offering a cost-effective and convenient option for anyone seeking vaccination, with or without insurance. In FY25, the Division administered 998 free immunizations to 399 children and adolescents through the Federal Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program.
The Division is proud to have passed its biennial Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) site survey in FY25, a testament to the high standards the team upholds in its VFC program operations.
Responding to national outbreaks of Measles and Pertussis (whooping cough), the team offered MMR and Tdap vaccine clinics to all 15 towns of Barnstable County. Special efforts included a regional MMR clinic hosted at the Orleans DPW. In addition, the nurses have also been involved with immunizing target populations with vaccine clinics such a Hepatitis A vaccine clinic in collaboration with the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod in Provincetown, and rabies vaccinations for animal control officers and veterinary practices across the region.
The Division also provided tuberculosis testing for fire, police, Cape Cod Community College, and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training programs, and conducted bloodborne pathogen training for county and municipal employees.
A Six-Week Push Across Cape Cod
Each fall, the Division mounts a major outreach effort to bring flu and COVID vaccines directly into the community. In the fall of 2025, the team ran clinics for six weeks (September 30 through November 10), operating 48 clinic sites across 44 different locations. Combined with in-house Tuesday and Thursday clinics, the effort resulted in:
- 1,064 flu vaccines administered
- 190 COVID-19 vaccines administered
It’s a logistical effort that reflects the team’s dedication and commitment to making vaccines accessible to every corner of Cape Cod.
Meeting People Where They Are
The Ask a Public Health Nurse Program is a hallmark of the Division’s community-centered approach. Operating out of food pantries, Councils on Aging, and churches, from Provincetown to Falmouth, the program connects residents with health screenings, glucose testing, blood pressure monitoring, health counseling, and multilingual educational materials, no appointment needed.
In collaboration with the Hunger Network and Lower Cape Outreach, the Division also ran the Foods to Encourage (FTE) program at the Harwich Family Pantry and the Falmouth Service Center, offering weekly blood pressure and glucose monitoring, nutrition education, and fresh produce to clients managing hypertension, diabetes, and pre-diabetes.
Through the Municipal Health Group Biometric Screening Program, the Division reached 1,392 individuals at health fairs across Barnstable County, offering screenings for blood pressure, pulse, glucose, cholesterol, bone density, and skin analysis — all paired with health counseling.
Your Pre-Travel Health Partners
Planning an international trip? The Barnstable County Public Health Nursing Division is a listed CDC travel clinic and an important resource for Cape Cod residents preparing to travel abroad. Last year, the Division administered 245 travel vaccines to residents heading to destinations around the world.
The CDC recommends scheduling a travel health appointment at least 4–6 weeks before departure, as some vaccines require multiple doses or time to take effect. Our nurses can help you understand which vaccines are recommended or required for your specific destination, activities, and health history.
Routine Updates
- Influenza (Flu)
- COVID-19 (*seasonally)
- Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Pneumococcal
- Polio booster
- Meningitis
- Shingles
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- HPV
Destination-Specific
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
- Chikungunya
- Rabies (pre-exposure)
- Japanese Encephalitis
* Specific vaccine recommendations depend on your destination country, planned activities, duration of stay, age, and medical history. Our nurses can help you navigate CDC destination-specific guidance to determine exactly what you need. The Division is listed on the CDC Travel Clinic directory. Call us at (508) 375-6617 to schedule your pre-travel consultation.
Thank You to Our Public Health Nursing Team
Behind every clinic, every screening, and every event is a team of nurses who show up, rain or shine, early mornings and late nights, because they believe in this community. Our 3 public health nurses and 13 contract nurses are the backbone of Barnstable County’s public health infrastructure.
To every nurse who packed a cooler, set up a table at a food pantry, or drove across the Cape to vaccinate: thank you. This National Public Health Week, and every week, your work matters.
