SIHF Healthcare Brings Awareness To Importance Of Immunizations

SIHF Healthcare is bringing awareness to the importance of immunizations at any age. This comes as August is National Immunization Awareness Month.

Establishing a medical provider at an early age for regular checkups and vaccinations are a good prevention method and helps establish a guideline to your health and that of your family.

“It is important for infants and young children to get their recommended vaccinations,” says Akemie Gray, MD in Pediatrics for SIHF Healthcare in East St. Louis, IL. “Infants and children are more susceptible to illnesses, due to having lower immune systems to fight off certain viruses and infectious diseases, but the good news is that most can be prevented by vaccination. By putting them on a regular vaccination schedule, they are less likely to contract infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, whooping cough, meningitis and the flu. There are vaccinations that even reduce one’s risks of developing certain cancers.”

Similar to babies and young children, vaccines are critical to older and aging adults because their immune system weakens, making it much harder for their bodies to fight off serious infections.

“So, it’s important to remember, that regardless of your age, you can still contract infectious diseases which could spread to others in your everyday environment or communities,” Gray adds.

The medical providers at SIHF Healthcare encourage you to make an appointment to come in, ask questions and spend some time learning about the importance of immunizations. Click here to learn more about the vaccination services SIHF offers for patients of all ages. Click here for a list of the 30+ health center locations to find one near you.

###

About SIHF Healthcare

SIHF Healthcare operates a network of more than 30 health centers across 11 Illinois counties with more than 140 medical providers who deliver comprehensive healthcare services including: adult, family, women’s health, pediatrics, pediatric dental services, behavioral health, and population health services. As one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Center networks in the country, SIHF Healthcare is devoted to leading individuals and communities to their healthiest lifestyle regardless of their ability to pay. For more information, visit www.sihf.org.

More like this:

Illinois Maintains High Childhood Vaccination Rates, Outpacing National Trends

May 4, 2026

Duckworth, Durbin, Senate Democrats Warn Ebola, Hantavirus Risks Worsened by Trump's Foreign Aid Cuts and WHO Withdrawal

Jun 13, 2026

Gov. Pritzker Announces $25 Million To Strengthen Pharmacy Access Across Illinois

Jun 15, 2026

100 Years Ago: Inspector of Hygiene for Alton Schools Makes Annual Report

Jun 28, 2026

Dr. ‘GPT’ tells OSF physicians AI will transform disease detection and patient care

May 15, 2026