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Henry County Public Health hosts Back-to-School Fair
Continued efforts by public health highlight ongoing community programs
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MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Public Health celebrated a successful third annual Back to School Health Fair ahead of the 2025-2026 school year. With strategic partnerships, Henry and Washington counties public health departments provided vaccines, screenings, and resources for school-aged children and families.
The event, held at the Mt. Pleasant Community School District Central Campus Gym, drew larger crowds than previous years.
“The first two years, we had it out at St. Alphonsus at Manning Hall, but it was so crowded last year that we felt it would be better suited at a bigger facility,” Henry County Public Health Director Katie Reuter said.
The fair offered vaccines for children in kindergarten through 12th grade, sports physicals, vision and dental screenings, lead tests, and educational booths. Two nurse practitioners provided physical exams, while booths featured information on healthy eating, active living, and community resources. Reuter said collaboration with Washington County Public Health and local organizations helped make the event possible.
Local schools praised the fair for its convenience.
New London Community School District called it “a great opportunity to check off all your student’s back-to-school health needs in one night.”
Families who missed the fair can access walk-in immunization clinics Tuesdays from 9—11 a.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1—4 p.m., and the first and third Thursday of each month from 1—6 p.m. at Henry County Public Health in Mt. Pleasant. Lead testing appointments are also available by calling (319) 385-0779.
Hosting the Back-to-School Health Fair isn’t the only way Henry County Public Health chooses to support the local community. During her monthly update to the Henry County Board of Supervisors at the Aug. 7 meeting, Reuter shared other work the department is up to.
“We attended Kids Day at the [Henry County] Fair last month and served healthy snacks to approximately 200 kids. We ran out of snacks, so we know it was probably a few more than that,” she said.
Additionally, Reuter described another successful community appearance at Access Energy’s annual meeting, distributing information on private well testing, suicide prevention, and healthy lifestyle choices.
“We got information out on the private wells grant and well testing, and they cleaned me out … I thought that was a good event,” she said. “It was cool and a very big crowd.”
According to Reuter, Public Health continues to expand preventive programs. The department is launching its third Stepping on Fall Prevention class in September, which is already full.
“The first two were also full, and there’s been a waiting list. It’s been very well received,” Reuter said.
Continuing to look ahead, Public Health also will host its second annual Senior Health Fair Sept. 24 at Calvary Baptist Church.
Outside of community outreach, monitoring communicable diseases remains a priority for the department as Iowa has reported eight measles cases this year, including three fully vaccinated individuals.
“We had some people that we followed for exposures in Henry County, but no positive cases in Henry County,” Reuter said. “The measures that we’ve been putting in place, as far as promoting vaccines, have been beneficial. They’ve seen an increase in the number of MMR vaccines that have been given by public health and also clinics.”
From vaccines and screenings to preventive programs and community outreach, Henry County Public Health continues to provide resources that support residents of all ages, ensuring the county remains proactive in protecting public health.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
