Do you have your immunization record?

Many people don't know their immunization status.

The Kane County Health Department recommends that residents contact their primary care physician for a copy of their record to make sure they are up-to-date.

Vaccines help prevent infectious diseases and save lives. Vaccines are responsible for the control of many infectious diseases that were once common in this country, including polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough, rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus, and the flu.

Adults might be in need of a booster shot for certain vaccines given to them in early childhood.

For more information about immunizations, visit the Kane County Health Department website at KaneHealth.com/Pages/Immunizations.aspx.

Vaccine-preventable diseases have a costly impact, resulting in doctor's visits, hospitalizations, and premature deaths. Sick children can also cause parents to lose time from work.

For eligibility, appointments, and referrals, please call (630) 264-7665 or (866) BEEWIZE (1-866-233-9493).

In Kane County, immunizations are also administered at the federally-qualified health centers.

These health centers in Kane County provide a wide variety of services that are low and reduced cost for low-income families:

• Aunt Martha's Health and Wellness has four locations: 608 S. River St. in Aurora; 2124 Ogden Ave., Unit 201, in Aurora; 3003 Wakefield Drive in Carpentersville; and 511 Dundee Ave., East Dundee. Services include: family case management, medical care, immunizations, and the federal nutrition program Women, Infants and Children. For details or hours, call (877) 692-8686. Visit www.auntmarthas.org.

• Greater Elgin Family Care Center has three locations. Visit www.gefcc.org.

Hours at the family practice at 370 Summit St. in Elgin are 6 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Monday, 8 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For details, call (847) 608-1344.

At 450 Dundee Ave. in Elgin, services include pediatric, OB/GYN, pediatric and adult dental, family case management, and the federal nutrition program Women, Infants and Children. Hours are: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For details, call (847) 608-1344

At 901 Center St. in Elgin, services include family practice and pediatric. Hours are: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, or 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For details, call (847) 608-1344.

• VNA Health Care offers the federal nutrition program Women, Infants and Children, family case management, medical care, immunizations at two locations: 400 N. Highland Ave. in Aurora or 620 Wing St. in Elgin. For the WIC program, call (630) 892-4720; for other services the 24-hour line, call (630) 892-4355. Hours are: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, or 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visitwww.vnahealth.com.

Additional health care providers in Kane County:

• Well Child Center, 620 Wing St. in Elgin, offers the federal nutrition program Women, Infants and Children and a pediatric dental clinic. For details, call (847) 741-7370 or visit www.wellchildcenter.org.

• Tri City Health Partnership, 318 Walnut St. in St. Charles, is a free medical and dental clinic serving low-income, uninsured residents of Central Kane County. Located in downtown St. Charles, patients are provided quality health and dental care at no cost by over 100 volunteer professionals. For details, call (630) 377-9277 or www.tchpfreeclinic.org.