The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee and Colona announce that August has been designated National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). The goal of National Immunization Awareness Month is to increase awareness about immunizations across the life span, from infants to the elderly.

August is the perfect time to remind family, friends, co-workers, and those in the community to catch up on their vaccinations that may have been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Parents are enrolling their children in school, students are entering college, and healthcare workers are preparing for the upcoming flu season.

During Immunization Month, we encourage you to talk to your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider to ensure you and your family are protected against serious diseases by getting caught up on routine vaccination. Today, more than ever we are reminded how immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th & 21st centuries. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the US and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, today tens of thousands of people in the US still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

First Choice Healthcare reminds area residents that routine immunizations can be obtained through their locations in Kewanee and Colona by appointment. Please note, First Choice has all required immunizations as private pay vaccines. Please call for eligibility, costs, and for vaccine availability.

For more information on the First Choice Healthcare immunization services call (309) 852-5272 (Kewanee) or 792-4011 (Colona) or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find us on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments and Follow Us On Twitter and Instagram.