The Jackson County Health Department is continuing to make changes to better provide services to more local residents.

By offering extended hours this winter, health officials want to make it more convenient for busy people to come in for things such as flu shots, assistance with registering for government health insurance and the state’s online vaccination database, HIV and hepatitis C testing and free naloxone distribution and training.

Beginning this week through Dec. 14, the office, located at 801 W. Second St. in Seymour, is now open from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Our goal is to make some of our services more easily accessible to those who are needing them,” said county health officer Dr. Chris Bunce.

The evening hours are being added temporarily to gauge need and the community’s response, he added.

Not all services, such as obtaining birth and death records or inspections for permits, will be available during the extended hours due to staffing.

Read the full story in Tuesday’s Tribune and online at tribtown.com.