Important county check: this guide is for the Mercer County Health Department in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Several U.S. places use the name Mercer County, including Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois and Missouri. If your clinic appointment, food complaint, septic question, school vaccine need or birth certificate is not connected to Mercer County, Kentucky, use your own county’s official health department instead.
Mercer County Health Department in Harrodsburg: Services, Phone Numbers, Hours and Local Help
This 2026 guide helps Mercer County, Kentucky residents get to the correct health department service without guessing. Use it for the Harrodsburg office address, clinic phone, environmental phone, public hours, WIC, immunizations, family planning, adult services, well child exams, onsite sewage, food safety, nuisance complaints, rabies reporting, patient portal access and medical emergency routing.
This article is written for Mercer County, Kentucky, including Harrodsburg, Burgin, Salvisa, Cornishville, McAfee, Dixville, Nevada, Talmage, Shawnee Run, Mayo and nearby local communities. The official Mercer County Health Department website lists the office at 900 N. College Street, Harrodsburg, KY 40330, the clinic phone as (859) 734-4522, environmental health as (859) 734-2229, and the fax as (859) 734-0568.
- Department
- Mercer County Health Department, Kentucky
- Official website
- https://mercerkyhd.org/
- Address
- 900 N. College Street, Harrodsburg, KY 40330
- Clinic phone
- (859) 734-4522; clinic extensions listed by the department include 110, 112 and 115.
- Environmental
- (859) 734-2229; environmental extensions listed include 142 and 134.
- Fax
- (859) 734-0568; administration and environmental fax also listed as (859) 734-2968.
- Clinic hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM. The clinic is closed daily from 12:00 PM-1:00 PM for lunch.
- Environmental hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-9:00 AM and 12:30 PM-1:30 PM for individuals who need to meet with a health environmentalist.
- Director
- Cathy Akins, Director; director phone route listed as (859) 734-4522 extension 135.
- Emergency
- For a medical emergency, dial 911. The department also lists a non-medical emergency after-hours contact: Cathy Akins, (502) 680-0169.
First, confirm this is Mercer County, Kentucky
The phrase Mercer County Health Department is not unique. A search result can easily mix Mercer County, Kentucky with Mercer County, Ohio, Mercer County, New Jersey, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, Mercer County, West Virginia, Mercer County, Illinois or Mercer County, Missouri. That matters because county health departments handle local services: clinic appointments, environmental health, restaurant complaints, septic systems, nuisance investigations and local public health programs.
This page is for the Mercer County Health Department in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. If your home, school, restaurant, septic system, public health complaint or clinic need is in another Mercer County, this is the wrong local agency. Do not mail forms, use a patient portal, request records or call the clinic until you have confirmed the state.
Mercer County, Kentucky
Use this guide if your service is connected to Harrodsburg, Burgin, Salvisa or another Mercer County, Kentucky community.
Ohio, New Jersey or Pennsylvania
Those are separate public health systems with different offices, records rules, environmental permits, clinic services and phone numbers.
WV, IL, MO and others
Use the official health department for the state where the event, property, school or public health issue is located.
Quick answer for Mercer County, Kentucky residents
The Mercer County Health Department in Harrodsburg provides clinic services, health education, preventive health services, population health programs and environmental health services for residents of Mercer County, Kentucky. The clinic line is (859) 734-4522, and the environmental health line is (859) 734-2229. The department’s mission is to provide preventive health services, health education and environmental health services to the people of Mercer County at the lowest possible cost, either directly or through collaboration with other providers.
The most common user mistake is calling the clinic for everything. A vaccine appointment, WIC question, family planning visit, food-service complaint, septic permit, rabies exposure, nuisance complaint and plumbing inspection are different routes. A second mistake is arriving during lunch. The clinic is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, but it is closed daily from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Environmental office hours are even narrower: Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM for residents who need to meet with a health environmentalist.
Call first if you need a clinic appointment, environmental meeting, plumbing inspection, immunization, WIC visit, rabies guidance, onsite sewage service or confidential family planning service. Bring ID, insurance or Medicaid card if applicable, vaccine records, school forms, income or household documents for WIC, property address for environmental issues, and the exact business or event details for food safety complaints.
Mercer County Health Department phone numbers and public hours
Use the correct line first. The clinic number is best for personal health services. The environmental number is best for onsite sewage, food safety, nuisance complaints, public facility inspections and rabies control. The non-medical after-hours contact is not a replacement for 911. For a medical emergency, call 911.
| Need | Phone or route | What to say or prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic services, immunizations, WIC, family planning or general health services | (859) 734-4522 | Say which service you need. Clinic extensions listed by the department include 110, 112 and 115. |
| Environmental health, onsite sewage, nuisance complaints, food safety, public facilities, rabies | (859) 734-2229 | Give the property address, business name, complaint location, animal exposure details or permit issue. Environmental extensions listed include 142 and 134. |
| Administration | (859) 734-4522, extensions 139 and 145 | Use for administrative questions, not urgent medical needs. |
| Director route | (859) 734-4522, extension 135 | The official staff/contact information lists Cathy Akins as Director. |
| Plumbing phone route | (859) 734-2229 | Plumbing office time is listed as Wednesday only, 8:00 AM-9:30 AM. |
| Medical emergency | 911 | Do not wait for regular clinic hours when there is a medical emergency. |
| Non-medical emergency after hours | Cathy Akins, (502) 680-0169 | Use only for non-medical emergency after-hours routing. Medical emergencies still go to 911. |
Office address, map and visiting tips
The Mercer County Health Department is located at 900 N. College Street, Harrodsburg, KY 40330. This is the correct office for Mercer County, Kentucky clinic and environmental-health services. Before driving there, check whether your service is clinic, administration, environmental or plumbing. The public hours differ by service type.
Clinic visit checklist
- Call (859) 734-4522 before visiting.
- Avoid the 12:00 PM-1:00 PM lunch closure.
- Bring photo ID when requested.
- Bring insurance, Humana, Anthem, Medicaid or payment information if applicable.
- Bring vaccine records, school forms, WIC documents or clinic paperwork depending on your service.
Environmental visit checklist
- Call (859) 734-2229 first.
- Use environmental office hours: 8:00-9:00 AM or 12:30-1:30 PM, Monday-Friday.
- Bring property address, site plan, complaint details or establishment information.
- Do not assume plumbing permits are issued by the health department.
- For onsite sewage, know whether you need soil evaluation, permit to construct, repair or inspection help.
Clinic services at Mercer County Health Department
The Mercer County Health Department lists a wide clinic-services menu. The main categories include family planning, immunizations, well child and EPSDT exams, WIC, adult services, children’s services and senior services. Adult services include cancer screening, tuberculosis services, pregnancy-related services, sexually transmitted disease services and adult immunizations.
The department states that it accepts Humana health insurance, Anthem health insurance and Medicaid. It also states that Medicare covers only flu and COVID vaccinations. Other services may be on a sliding fee scale based on income and household size. That means you should not guess your cost from an old online comment. Call before your appointment and ask what insurance, income documentation or payment information is needed.
Immunizations and records
The department offers a variety of immunizations for children and adults. Ask what vaccines are currently available, what records to bring and whether your insurance or program covers the visit.
Well child and EPSDT
Well child and EPSDT exams help families keep up with preventive care, screenings and referrals. Bring child records, Medicaid or insurance information and school or program forms.
Family planning and STD services
Family planning services include confidential services for women, men and teenagers. STD testing and treatment are included within the family planning and adult-services routes.
How to call the clinic without being transferred twice
- Start with the service name. Say, “I need an immunization appointment,” “I need WIC,” “I need family planning,” or “I need a TB service.”
- Give the deadline. A school vaccine deadline, work TB requirement, pregnancy appointment, WIC renewal or travel date changes how you should plan.
- Ask what to bring. Do not assume. Ask about ID, insurance, Medicaid, income details, vaccine record, child records or forms.
- Confirm fees before the visit. The department uses insurance, Medicaid, Medicare limits and sliding fee information depending on service.
- Confirm lunch closure. Do not arrive from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM expecting clinic service.
Immunizations: child, school and adult vaccines
The Mercer County Health Department immunization page says the department offers a variety of immunizations for children and adults at little to no cost for the patient. Vaccines listed include Tdap, DTaP, polio, MMR, varicella, HPV, pneumonia vaccines, HIB, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningitis, adult RSV, rotavirus, COVID-19 and seasonal flu.
The department also explains that some immunizations are free, some are on a sliding scale fee schedule, some are billed to insurance and some are full cost to the patient. It states that no one will be turned away for inability to pay. The page also says Mercer County Health Department is a provider through the Vaccines for Children program for eligible uninsured or underinsured people up to age 19, with a nominal administration fee, and that no one is denied services due to inability to pay.
| Vaccine need | Best action | What to bring |
|---|---|---|
| School or childcare vaccines | Call the clinic at (859) 734-4522 before school deadlines. | Child vaccine record, school form, parent or guardian ID, insurance or Medicaid information if applicable. |
| Adult vaccines | Ask which adult vaccines are in stock and whether your insurance covers them. | ID, insurance card, prior vaccine history and any provider recommendation. |
| Flu or COVID vaccination | Ask about seasonal availability and Medicare coverage rules. | Insurance or Medicare information, ID and vaccine card if you have one. |
| Missing vaccine records | Call early and ask what proof can be accepted. | Previous provider records, school records, pharmacy record or state registry information if available. |
Do not wait until the last week before school starts. Vaccine schedules, record gaps, insurance questions and clinic availability can slow you down. If your child needs school vaccines, call the clinic early and bring every record you have.
WIC in Mercer County, Kentucky
WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The Mercer County Health Department WIC page explains that WIC may help people who are pregnant, recently had a baby, are breastfeeding or have a child younger than 5 years of age. It provides nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, education, nutritious foods and referrals to healthcare services.
For a Mercer County family, the useful point is simple: call the clinic and ask for WIC rather than asking a general question. WIC eligibility, income guidance, food lists, breastfeeding questions, nutrition education and appointment preparation are different from immunizations or family planning.
Who should ask about WIC
- Pregnant people.
- People who recently had a baby.
- Breastfeeding parents.
- Infants.
- Children younger than 5 years of age.
- Families who need nutrition support, referrals or breastfeeding help.
What to prepare
- Proof of identity.
- Proof of residence if requested.
- Income or benefits information if requested.
- Pregnancy or child information.
- Current phone number and appointment availability.
Family planning, adult services, STD services and pregnancy-related care
The family planning page explains that Mercer County Health Department provides confidential family planning for women, men and teenagers. Services listed include Pap testing and pelvic exams, breast exams, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy testing, birth control including free condoms, emergency contraception, education and counseling, STD and HIV risk education, preconception health, options counseling, infertility information and referrals to community resources.
Confidential care still requires preparation. Call first, ask which services are available, and ask what ID, insurance, fee information or forms are needed. If you need emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, STD testing or treatment, do not wait for weeks because timing matters. If there is a medical emergency, call 911 or seek urgent care.
| Service area | What the department lists | Resident tip |
|---|---|---|
| Family planning | Confidential family planning for women, men and teenagers; pregnancy testing; birth control; emergency contraception; counseling. | Ask what services are in stock or available that day. The page notes that education may cover methods not stocked onsite daily. |
| STD services | STD testing and treatment are included in family planning and adult services. | Ask about confidentiality, cost, testing timing and treatment process before the appointment. |
| Cancer screening | Cancer screening appears under adult services. | Ask which screenings are available, eligibility rules and whether referral or insurance information is needed. |
| Tuberculosis services | Tuberculosis services appear under adult services. | If a school, employer or program requires a TB test, ask about test timing and return-read requirements. |
| Pregnancy-related services | Pregnancy-related services appear under adult services. | Call early and ask what documents or referral route applies. |
Environmental Health: food safety, facilities, nuisance complaints and public health protection
The Environmental Health page says Mercer County Health Department provides environmental health services to protect the public and community. It sets public office hours for people who need to meet with a health environmentalist. These hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-9:00 AM and 12:30 PM-1:30 PM. The environmental phone is (859) 734-2229.
This division is not just for septic systems. It covers onsite sewage, public facilities inspections, regulated food establishments, public health nuisance complaints, rabies control and septic tank servicing companies. If your problem involves a property, public facility, restaurant, school, hotel, motel, mobile home or RV park, public swimming pool, tattoo studio, sewage surfacing, rodents, insects, mosquito control, garbage disposal or unsanitary conditions affecting public health, environmental health is the likely route.
Food safety
Regulated food establishments that serve the public are required to be permitted by the local health department. The department notes that restaurants, grocery stores, school cafeterias, hospital cafeterias and other establishments may be included.
Facility inspections
Public facilities inspections are performed for schools, hotels, motels, mobile home and RV parks, public swimming pools, tattoo studios and other listed facilities. Inspections can be annual, biannual or complaint-based.
Nuisance complaints
Public health nuisance items include mosquito control, rodent and insect control, surfacing sewage, household garbage disposal and other unsanitary conditions that affect public health.
How to report a food or nuisance concern clearly
- Write the exact location. Include the business name, property address, nearby landmark or unit number if needed.
- Write the date and time. A complaint from a specific date is stronger than a vague complaint.
- Describe the public health issue. Examples include sewage, pests, unsafe food handling, garbage accumulation, mosquito issue, rodents or an unsanitary facility.
- Separate facts from frustration. Staff can investigate facts more easily than general anger.
- Call the environmental line. Use (859) 734-2229 and ask for the correct environmental route.
Onsite sewage, septic systems and plumbing route
The Environmental Health page explains that onsite sewage, sometimes called private sewage, includes septic systems for establishments that cannot access municipal sewage systems. These can include homes, businesses, schools, restaurants and many others. New installations and repairs to existing systems are regulated by the health department.
The onsite sewage process is described in two stages. The first stage is an On-Site Soil Evaluation. The second stage is the Permit to Construct the system. The soil evaluation looks at environmental factors that affect septic-system function and helps determine if the lot is suitable for the planned structure. The permit to construct is a detailed plan describing the necessary installation steps and requirements.
The official Environmental Health page says plumbing permits are available only through the State Plumbing Inspector. The health department cannot issue a plumbing permit. It also says an onsite sewage permit must be obtained before receiving a plumbing permit. This is exactly the kind of detail that can delay a building or repair project if you call the wrong office first.
| Property issue | Correct first step | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| New septic system | Call environmental health at (859) 734-2229 and ask about soil evaluation. | The lot suitability review comes before system construction planning. |
| Repair to existing septic system | Call before work begins. | Repairs are regulated, and work may require proper permitting and inspection. |
| Plumbing permit | Ask about the State Plumbing Inspector route. | The health department cannot issue plumbing permits, and onsite sewage permit timing can affect the plumbing route. |
| Homebuyer with septic concerns | Gather property address and call environmental health early. | Waiting until closing week can create avoidable stress and delays. |
Rabies control, animal bites and public health nuisance issues
The Mercer County Environmental Health page says the rabies program is responsible for identifying exposure of humans to animals that may possibly have rabies. It describes two methods used to identify rabies in animals: quarantine observation or clinical testing where brain tissue is analyzed. The page also says all animal bite exposures should be reported to the local health department.
For residents, the practical rule is direct: if an animal bite happens, report it and get medical care when needed. If the bite is serious, the animal is wild, the animal is unknown, the victim is a child, the bite is on the face or hand, or there is heavy bleeding, do not wait for routine office hours. Use emergency medical care or call 911 when needed.
For severe wounds, heavy bleeding, possible rabies exposure, trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, poisoning, overdose or any life-threatening situation, call 911. A routine health department phone call is not a substitute for emergency medical care.
Population health, HANDS, health equity, harm reduction and MRC
Mercer County Health Department also lists population-health work beyond direct clinic visits. Official menu areas include HANDS, health and wellness, diabetes, health equity and harm reduction. The site also lists Medical Reserve Corps. These programs matter because public health is not only about appointments. It includes education, prevention, community resources, emergency preparedness and connecting residents with support before a problem becomes an emergency.
Harm reduction information on the department site includes references to resources such as free naloxone, Casey’s Law and the Good Samaritan Law. If you are seeking harm reduction help, call the department or use the official pages for the safest local route. If someone is overdosing or in immediate danger, call 911 immediately.
Community and prevention work
Use population health routes for health and wellness, diabetes education, health equity, HANDS and prevention-focused support. These are not the same as emergency medical care, but they can connect residents with practical local resources.
Emergency preparedness
The Medical Reserve Corps route is relevant for local preparedness and public health emergency support. For active medical emergencies, use 911.
Birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates in Kentucky
The Mercer County Health Department site focuses on clinic, public health and environmental health services. If you need a certified Kentucky birth, death, marriage, divorce or stillbirth certificate, verify the current route through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics or the official Kentucky certificate-ordering process. Do not assume the local clinic desk in Harrodsburg can issue every certificate type on demand unless an official page or staff member confirms it.
Kentucky vital records are state-level records, and certificate rules depend on record type, event date, identity, request method and payment process. If you need a certificate for school, passport, REAL ID, estate, insurance, probate or legal use, confirm the exact certificate type before paying a third-party service. For local guidance, call the Mercer County Health Department clinic line and ask whether they provide local instructions or forms for your specific certificate need.
Do not confuse “health department” with “vital records counter.” Some states and counties handle certificates locally, while others route through a state office or an approved ordering partner. For Kentucky records, verify with official Kentucky sources before mailing documents or entering payment information online.
Official Mercer County Health Department links
Use official pages for final verification before visiting, paying, using the portal, submitting information or relying on a deadline. Third-party directories often copy outdated phone numbers and miss lunch closures or environmental office-hour windows.
Clinic services
Adult and population health
Environmental health
Public facility and food routes
When pages do not answer
Call the clinic at (859) 734-4522 or environmental health at (859) 734-2229. State the exact service you need before explaining the full situation.
What Mercer County Health Department does not handle
A strong directory page should stop wrong trips, not just list services. Here are the most common wrong turns.
| If you need | Do not assume | Better route |
|---|---|---|
| Medical emergency care | The routine clinic number is fast enough. | Call 911 or seek emergency care. |
| Plumbing permit | The Health Department issues plumbing permits. | Use the State Plumbing Inspector route; the health department says it cannot issue plumbing permits. |
| A certificate from another state or county | Mercer County, Kentucky can issue it. | Use the state or county where the birth, death, marriage or divorce occurred. |
| Private doctor or hospital records | The county clinic stores all local medical records. | Contact the provider or hospital that created the record. |
| Mercer County Ohio, NJ, PA, WV, IL or MO services | This Kentucky office can help. | Use that jurisdiction’s official health department. |
Mercer County Health Department FAQ
What is the Mercer County Health Department phone number?
For Mercer County, Kentucky, the clinic phone is (859) 734-4522. The environmental health phone is (859) 734-2229. The fax listed for the department is (859) 734-0568.
Where is the Mercer County Health Department in Kentucky?
The office is at 900 N. College Street, Harrodsburg, KY 40330. This guide is for Mercer County, Kentucky, not Mercer County in another state.
What are the Mercer County Health Department clinic hours?
The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clinic is closed daily from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for lunch.
What are the Environmental Health office hours?
Environmental office hours are listed as Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, for people who need to meet with a health environmentalist. Call (859) 734-2229 before visiting.
Does Mercer County Health Department offer immunizations?
Yes. The department lists child and adult immunizations, including Tdap, DTaP, polio, MMR, varicella, HPV, pneumonia vaccines, HIB, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningitis, adult RSV, rotavirus, COVID-19 and seasonal flu. Call the clinic to confirm availability, cost and insurance handling.
Does the department accept insurance?
The department states that it accepts Humana health insurance, Anthem health insurance and Medicaid. It also states that Medicare covers only flu and COVID vaccinations. Other services may use a sliding fee scale based on income and household size.
Does Mercer County Health Department offer WIC?
Yes. WIC may help people who are pregnant, recently had a baby, are breastfeeding or have a child younger than 5 years of age. WIC provides nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, education, nutritious foods and healthcare referrals.
Who handles onsite sewage and septic systems?
Environmental Health handles onsite sewage and septic-system regulation. The official page explains that onsite sewage includes systems for homes, businesses, schools, restaurants and other establishments that cannot access municipal sewage systems. Call (859) 734-2229.
Can the Health Department issue plumbing permits?
No. The official Environmental Health page says plumbing permits are available only through the State Plumbing Inspector and that the health department cannot issue a plumbing permit. It also says an onsite sewage permit must be obtained before receiving a plumbing permit.
How do I report an animal bite or rabies exposure?
The rabies program identifies possible human exposure to animals that may have rabies. The department says all animal bite exposures should be reported to the local health department. For severe injuries or emergencies, call 911 first.
How do I report a public health nuisance?
Call Environmental Health at (859) 734-2229. Public health nuisance issues listed by the department include mosquito control, rodent and insect control, surfacing sewage, household garbage disposal and other unsanitary conditions that affect public health.
Is this page for Mercer County, Ohio or New Jersey?
No. This guide is for Mercer County, Kentucky. If you need Mercer County, Ohio; Mercer County, New Jersey; Mercer County, Pennsylvania; Mercer County, West Virginia; Mercer County, Illinois; Mercer County, Missouri; or another Mercer County, use that jurisdiction’s official health department.