MMR vaccine offered free to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students
The Kane County Health Department will offer free measles-mumps-rubella vaccine to students attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in response to the outbreak of mumps at the school.
Health officials have recorded 69 cases of the mumps at the UIUC campus since Jan. 1, 2015.
The vaccines will be provided from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Health Department's office, 1240 N. Highland Ave., in Aurora, until supplies run out.
Appointments are necessary. Call the Health Department's immunization phone line at (630) 264-7665 or (866) BEEWIZE (233-9493) to make an appointment.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is recommending a third dose of MMR vaccine for UIUC students. Evidence indicates that a third dose of MMR can be helpful in controlling mumps outbreaks in this setting. This is especially important for those planning on living in congregate settings such as dormitories or fraternity or sorority houses.
The MMR vaccine may take up to two weeks to provide protection against mumps; therefore, if possible, this extra dose of MMR vaccine should be obtained prior to returning to campus. Classes start the third week of August. Although the third dose is recommended, it is not required to return to campus.