Richfield/Bloomington Public Health

Bloomington Public Health

Richfield contracts with the City of Bloomington to provide public health services to Richfield residents.  A Public Health Nurse provides at home visits or phone calls to address health, and safety concerns. They refer people to organizations and/or services in the community to help you stay safe and healthy.   

They provide effective services in a very cost efficient manner to Richfield residents who continue to indicate that those receiving their services are very satisfied.


Early Childhood Screening at 3

Learn more about whether your three year old is developmentally on track and will eventually be ready for Kindergarten.

This is required for entrance in Minnesota's public schools or within 30 days of enrollment. The process is fun for children and involves playing games, following directions, vision/hearing check, child development and a review of the child's health. This is recommended at 3 years of age. 

Screening is a free check of your child's vision, hearing, height, weight, and development, as well as a review of her or his immunization records. Children are screened by trained staff. Your child will be assessed in three important developmental areas: motor skills, concepts, and communication skills. This not an IQ test. It does not rank children according to scores. The purpose of screening is early detection of children's development, health, and other factors that may interfere with a child's learning, growth, and development.  For more info call (952) 681-6200

Follow these links for MDH video presentations on this subject: 


Flu Vaccination Information and Vaccination Site info:
In order to best protect you and your children from flu this year, we will only be providing flu shots this season, nasal spray vaccine is not available.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices made this national recommendation because the nasal spray vaccine has not been effective in the last three flu seasons for children 2 through 17 years of age. This change is not due to any safety concerns. Flu can be a serious, even life-threatening illness. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the flu.

Flu vaccine reminders

  • Shots will be given to persons 6 months of age and older. 
  • Wearing short sleeves is suggested.
  • Bring your insurance card so your insurance company can be billed. Let us know if you do not have insurance.
  • Children under 18 years must have a parent or guardian present.
Flu prevention and care
  • Do your best to stay healthy. Get plenty of rest, physical activity and healthy eating.
  • Stay home from school or work if you have a respiratory infection. Avoid exposing yourself to others who are sick with flu-like illness.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue whenever you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
  • Clean surfaces you touch frequently, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
Know when to seek care

Most people can fight the flu at home with rest and fluids. If you are in a group at high risk for influenza complications and you develop influenza, you should contact your health care provider early on so that you can be given antiviral medication if needed (it is most effective when started within two days of contracting influenza). It is also just a good idea to check in with your health care provider or doctor in case your situation worsens. 

Is it the cold or the flu?

Signs and symptoms Influenza Cold
Onset Sudden Gradual
Fever Temperature of 100° F and above, lasting 3-4 days None or a temperature of less than 100° F
Cough Dry, sometimes severe Hacking
Headache Prominent Rare
Muscle pain Usual, often severe Uncommon or mild
Tiredness and weakness Lasting 2-3 weeks Very mild and brief
Extreme exhaustion Early and prominent Never
Chest discomfort Common Uncommon or mild
Stuffy nose Sometimes Common
Sneezing Sometimes Typical
Sore throat Sometimes Common

Dispose of Unwanted Medicines at Free Hennepin County Drop Boxes:

Getting rid of medicines just got easier for Hennepin County residents!

  • Residents can drop off unwanted medicines at drop boxes in Edina (Hennepin County Library Southdale), Brooklyn Park, Minnetonka, downtown Minneapolis and Spring Park. 
  • Medicines from households, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and pet medicines, are accepted.
  • Bring medicines in their original containers. No ID is required. This is a free service.
  • Proper disposal of unwanted medicines is important to prevent abuse or poisoning and protect the environment.
  • Learn more at this web link www.hennepin.us/medicine.  

Contact

Richfield/Bloomington Public Health Division
1900 West Old Shakopee Road,
Bloomington, MN 55431
952-563-8900 V/TTY

Office hours
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Nurse information line: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.