The Illinois Department of Public Health unveiled an innovative Measles Outbreak Simulator Dashboard, empowering residents to access measles vaccination rates for schools statewide. This interactive tool is designed to facilitate a better understanding of outbreak risks and stress the critical role vaccinations play in community health defense. Health officials underscore the tool’s potential to guide informed decisions regarding public health safety and vaccination practices. By visualizing data, the dashboard aims to boost vaccination efforts and prevent future outbreaks, offering a vital resource for both policymakers and concerned citizens. The initiative underscores a proactive approach to public health in Illinois.
“IDPH continues to work closely with our local public health and health care partners as we prepare for any potential measles cases in Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “The Department is building on the lessons we learned from our successful measles response in 2024 by ensuring that our residents have access to meaningful information to guide their decision-making. Our new dashboard provides the public with the ability to review the measles vaccination rates in their child’s school and its risk for an outbreak. Two doses of measles vaccines are 97% effective in preventing measles. I recommend that our Illinois residents make sure that they and their family members are up to date on the measles/mumps/rubella vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations.”
“Vaccination is the most effective tool we have to prevent the spread of measles and protect the health of our students,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “We are grateful to IDPH for equipping school leaders, parents, and the public with clear, actionable data to assess measles risk and plan proactively. I encourage every school administrator to explore this resource to support families in staying informed and up to date on vaccinations.”
According to the CDC, one dose of measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine is 93% effective against measles and two doses are 97% effective in protection from measles. However, for those who are not vaccinated, measles is more contagious than most other infections. Measles is easily spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. And measles can cause serious and long-term complications, including pneumonia and swelling of the brain.
