Measles and Whooping Cough Outbreaks-Vaccinating on Time is Important for Disease Protection

Chicago Department of Public Health
Published: April 29, 2014

Parents agree that feeding and sleep schedules are important to help keep their children healthy. The same goes for childhood immunizations. Vaccinating children on time is the best way to protect them against 14 serious and potentially deadly diseases before their second birthday.

In 2013, 189 people in the U.S. were reported as having measles; this represents the second largest number of cases in the U.S. since 1996. Usually only about 60 cases in the United States are reported each year. In the first 2 months of 2014 alone, 54 people in the United States were reported as having measles, with more cases popping up in subsequent months. Staying on track with the immunization schedule ensures that children have the best protection against diseases like these by age two.

Amid the recent outbreaks of measles and mumps in the United States, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is encouraging parents to vaccinate their children on time by the age of two. “I make sure my kids are vaccinated on time,” said Dr.Julie Morita, Immunization Program Medical Director at (CDPH) and mother of two. “Getting children all the vaccines they need by age two is one of the best things parents can do to help keep their children safe and healthy.”

When parents choose not to vaccinate or to follow a delayed schedule, children are left unprotected against diseases that still circulate in this country. Dr. Schuchat cautions against parents delaying vaccination. “There is no known benefit to delaying vaccination. In fact, it puts babies at risk of getting sick because they are left vulnerable to catch serious diseases during the time they are not protected by vaccines.” For example, more than 48,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in the United States in 2012. During this time, 20 deaths have been reported—the majority of these deaths were in children younger than 3 months of age.

“Don’t wait to vaccinate your child. Giving babies the recommended immunizations by age 2 is the best way to protect them from 14 serious childhood diseases, like whooping cough and measles,” said Lorraine Schoenstadt, Public Health Nurse at the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).

If you have questions about the childhood immunization schedule, talk with your child’s doctor or nurse. For more information about vaccines, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents.

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children from low-income families. CDPH provides VFC vaccines to over 600 health care providers throughout Chicago to vaccinate VFC eligible children. To find out more about the VFC program, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/ or ask your child’s health care professional.

CDPH Immunization clinics provide vaccines at no charge for children 0-18 years of age. They are listed below:

Greater Lawn WIC 4150 W. 55th Street Phone: 312.747.5416 Hours of Operation: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

*Closed 2nd Wed every month 12 to 4 pm

Lower West WIC 1643 W. Cermak Phone: 312.747.1650 Hours of Operation: Thursdays & Fridays: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Roseland Community WIC 11255 S. Michigan Phone: 773.785.1173 Hours of Operation: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

*Closed 2nd Wed every month 12 to 4 pm

Englewood Neighborhood Health Center 641 W. 63^rd St., Lower Level Phone: 312.745.1000 Hours of Operation: Thursdays: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Uptown Neighborhood Health Center 845 W. Wilson Ave., Lower Level Phone: 312.742.3227 Hours of Operation: Mondays & Fridays: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm Thursdays: 9:00 am.– 4:30 pm.

Keywords: CDPH, infant immunization, measles, vaccination, whooping cough