A third dose of the MMR Vaccine is recommended for those students attending at U of I in Champaign
Vaccine available at Logan County Department of Public Health
 

[August 07, 2015]  LINCOLN - Sixty-nine (69) cases of mumps have been diagnosed among University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) students since January 1, 2015 and most of the infected individuals, prior to becoming infected, received two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Due this fact and as a precautionary measure, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is now recommending that a third dose of MMR be given to students who plan to attend UIUC this fall.

Evidence indicates that a third dose of MMR can be helpful in controlling mumps outbreaks in this setting. The McKinley Health Center at UIUC and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District support the recommendation of IDPH and are now also recommending a third dose of MMR vaccine for UIUC students. 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. Insurance companies may not be willing to cover the cost of the vaccine, therefore, students and their families are encouraged to first contact their health insurance company to verify whether the vaccine will be covered.

The Logan County Department of Public Health has this vaccine and is open Monday-Friday from 7:30-4:30. Please call for appointment.

[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP, Public Health Administrator, Logan County Department of Public Health]