South West Illinois News

At Sparta Community Hospital, officials are encouraging community members to stay up to date on vaccinations as the fall season begins. The hospital is emphasizing the importance of annual wellness visits as an opportunity for individuals and families to review their vaccination status and discuss overall health goals.

According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more kindergartners in the United States are entering school without all recommended vaccines than ever before. The CDC reported that 3.6% of kindergartners had at least one vaccine exemption during the 2024–2025 school year, which is the highest rate recorded so far. This trend raises concerns about the potential spread of preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, and whooping cough, especially among vulnerable populations like infants, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems.

"Vaccination remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect not only yourself, but also your family, coworkers, and neighbors," a statement from Sparta Community Hospital said.

The hospital also notes that vaccines are important for people of all ages, not just children. Immunity can decrease over time, and new vaccines may be needed to address evolving illnesses. Adults are encouraged to keep current with immunizations to help reduce the spread of flu, pneumonia, shingles, and other infections that often increase during fall and winter.

Annual wellness visits provide a chance for healthcare providers to review vaccination records, recommend updates, and discuss broader health issues such as nutrition, activity, and stress management. For many, these appointments offer a convenient way to receive necessary immunizations.

Recommended vaccines vary by age group. For children and teens, key vaccines include MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTaP/Tdap, polio, varicella (chickenpox), HPV, and annual flu and COVID-19 shots. Adults are advised to get annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines, a Tdap booster every 10 years, shingles vaccine for those over 50, and pneumonia vaccine for those 65 or older or with chronic conditions.

Access to vaccines is described as affordable for most families. Sparta Community Hospital participates in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which provides free vaccines for eligible children through age 18 regardless of insurance status. Most commercial insurance plans cover recommended vaccines at no out-of-pocket cost when administered by an in-network provider.

For adults with Medicare coverage, Part B includes vaccines such as flu, pneumococcal, hepatitis B (for higher-risk individuals), and COVID-19. Medicare Part D covers other recommended adult vaccines like shingles and Tdap at little or no cost.

The hospital encourages residents to schedule their annual wellness visit or learn more about vaccinations by calling 618-443-1DOC (1362).