New dashboard shows measles vaccination rates at Illinois schools

(WIFR) - The Illinois Department of Public Health reveals a new tool for schools and families to use in case of a measles outbreak in Illinois.

The Measles Outbreak Simulator Dashboard shows the measles vaccination rate in any public or private Illinois School to determine the risk of exposure if a case is found in their school.

School staff are encouraged to use the dashboard for measles outbreak prevention decisions and to assess the potential severity of any measles outbreak, should one happen in Illinois. It provides estimates for the size and spread of a measles outbreak in individual schools from pre-K through 12th grade using 2023-2024 school vaccination and enrollment data, and will be updated.

The IDPH says there haven’t been any reported cases of Measles in Illinois early 2024, but they are closely monitoring outbreaks in other states.

“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.”

Most residents get the measles vaccine in childhood, meaning the risk of getting measles is low for many people, according to the IDPH.