The McLean County Health Department reports 98-percent compliance on most immunizations among McLean County school-children. (Photo by Google Earth)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Health Department officials say school children in the county are getting vaccinated at rates that exceed the state minimum standards.

Vaccination rates for polio, DTP, measles, rubella and mumps are all above 98 percent. The Illinois Department of Public Health says a 90-percent protection level against those disease is recommended to prevent epidemics.

County health director Walt Howe said the numbers are reassuring and show that schools in McLean County are providing an atmosphere of protection against these contagious diseases.

“These numbers are reassuring from a herd immunity perspective," Howe said. "This is especially important for those students not eligible for vaccinations due to medical complications.”

Howe reminds adults to make sure they are protected. Vaccines are available at the health department.  

To make an adult or child immunization appointment, contact the McLean County Health Department at (309) 888-5455.  The Health Department provides immunizations to all school-age children, including uninsured and under-insured families through the federal Vaccines for Children program and also provides shots to residents with private insurance, on Medicaid or Medicare, and those who wish to pay an out-of-pocket fee.

There are 10 confirmed measles cases in Illinois, all of them in Cook County.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].