Cook County Officials: Protect Children From Measles

County, religious and school leaders launch campaign to encourage vaccinating kids against measles

Cook County Officials: Protect Children From Measles 
County, religious and school leaders launch campaign to encourage vaccinating kids against measles

FOREST PARK, IL - Today, during National Immunization Awareness Month, Cook County officials, school and religious leaders made a united call to encourage measles vaccinations as kids head back to school.

With cases of measles on the rise nationwide and the number of unvaccinated suburban Cook County youth doubling in the past 10 years, Cook County Department of Public Health has launched a new awareness campaignencouraging measles vaccinations when youth reach age 1 and 4 or before entering kindergarten.

The campaign features two teddy bears symbolizing the key ages when children should receive their measles (MMR) vaccine doses. The campaign’s creative (both in English and Spanish) will be in market from mid-August through mid-October on transit, billboards and digital platforms throughout suburban cook county.

“We all want what’s best for our children and that means making sure they’re protected from preventable diseases like measles,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Let’s work together to give every child a healthy, measles-free school year. Vaccines save lives, and we’re committed to ensuring that everyone who wants a vaccine has access to one.”

“Protecting our children from measles is one of the simplest yet most powerful steps we can take to safeguard their health and the health of our communities. This campaign is about empowering families with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions, and reduce the serious risks of this vaccine-preventable disease,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO, Cook County Health.

“Measles is making a comeback but we can stop it,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer of Cook County Department of Public Health. “Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect our children and communities. This campaign is about preventing a crisis that we know how to stop. I encourage anyone with questions to speak with a trusted health care provider and seek out reliable information. Public health decisions should be rooted in science, not misinformation or hearsay.”

The call for vaccination also came from the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools.

“The Catholic Church encourages parents to vaccinate their children for measles,” said Greg Richmond, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago. “Vaccination is morally acceptable and a way that parents can care for their family and their community.”

MMR Vaccine:

Measles is one of the most contagious and infectious diseases on the planet. Thankfully, it is highly preventable with two doses of the measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is generally recommended ages of 1 and 4. The vaccine provides 97% protection and generally gives a person lifelong immunity. During the past 50 years, the MMR vaccine has saved 154 million lives around the world. About 95% of measles cases during the 2024–2025 outbreak occurred in people who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.

A Doubling of Unvaccinated Children:

Measles was considered eradicated in 2000 however, since then the U.S. has experienced a continuous decline in vaccination rates: as a result, measles is on the rise again. In suburban Cook County, more than 12,000 vaccine-eligible school-aged children are unvaccinated against measles, more than double the number of unvaccinated children in the region 10 years ago.

“Children must be healthy in order to learn. Being vaccinated against measles will help prevent children from getting sick and missing school, and prevent putting their classmates at risk too. We need families to make it a priority for every child to get protected against measles,” said Mark Klaisner, Executive Director of West 40 Intermediate Service Center (ISC) Office of Education.

Autism Misinformation:

Misinformation has contributed to declining vaccination rates and fueled recent outbreaks. Myths such as “the vaccine causes autism,” continue to spread, despite having been disproven.

Measles is serious and is more than a skin rash. It can cause pneumonia, brain damage, blindness, deafness and even death. It can be especially dangerous for babies, young children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. Three in 10 people who get measles have complications, and young children are especially vulnerable. As many as one in 20 will get pneumonia; about one in 1,000 will have brain swelling that can cause deafness and intellectual disability; and nearly three in 1,000 will die.


What Can People Do? 

  • Make sure you are fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR.
  • If you are unsure, you can check your status-Use the IDPH Vax Verify. Vax Verify
  • If you are not vaccinated, talk to your health care provider or contact Cook County Health Express Care: 312-864-1111 to get vaccinated.
  • If you were vaccinated between 1963-1967, check with your health care provider about a revaccination.
  • If you were born before 1957, it is presumed that you have been exposed to measles and do not need additional vaccination.
    • Most importantly, if you are sick, stay home, especially if you know you were exposed to measles and are not vaccinated or are unsure of your immunity.
    • Notify your health care provider before showing up at a facility or emergency room for evaluation so that they can protect other people from exposure.
  •  To learn more about measles visit Measles - Cook County Department of Public Health. Want to get the facts about measles? Visit Measles Myths vs. Facts - Cook County Department of Public Health

For more information about Cook County Department of Public Health programs and services, visit www.cookcountypublichealth.org.

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