As measles cases continue to increase across the country, the Rock Island County Health Department is trying to make sure there's no outbreak here. It will open a weekly vaccination clinic this week, start a social media campaign, and remind school officials of the requirement that all students be vaccinated.
Health Department Chief Operating Officer, Janet Hill, says measles can be very serious and even kill young children.
"The important thing to note is that infants cannot get their first MMR, that's measles, mumps, and rubella, vaccination until age one. So it's up to the rest of us to get vaccinated so we can protect the people who cannot get it. "
So far, more than 1,000 cases of measles have been confirmed in 28 states, the most cases reported in the US in 25 years. There've been nine cases in Illinois so far, but none in Rock Island County.
With funding from the state, Hill says her department will open a walk-in vaccination clinic on Thursdays, starting this week ( 7/11 ), and through August. Appointments are also available.
She says Illinois requires all school children be vaccinated for measles - in public, private, and parochial schools.