Mumps
booster shot recommended for
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Students
Illinois Department of Public
Health, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and University
address mumps outbreak
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[August 10, 2015]
SPRINGFIELD
- The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Champaign-Urbana
Public Health District (CUPHD), and McKinley Health Center are
recommending students at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign receive a booster shot of the MMR (measles, mumps,
rubella) vaccine as soon as possible, even if they have already
received one or two previous MMR vaccinations.
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“We continue to see new mumps infections in students
at the University and are working to stop the spread,” said IDPH
Director Nirav D. Shah. “While most cases on campus have already
received two doses of MMR, a third dose may help control the
outbreak. Although the vaccine against mumps is extremely effective,
it is not perfect. This is why it is important for those who can be
vaccinated, to take this extra step and potentially help protect
those around them.”
IDPH, CUPHD and McKinley Health Center recommend that students
planning to take classes on the Urbana-Champaign campus in the fall
to receive the booster vaccine as soon as possible from their local
healthcare provider, local health department, health clinic, or
pharmacy. Immunity takes two weeks to develop after receiving a
vaccination.
In addition to the booster shot, it is important to practice good
health habits to reduce the spread of disease, including washing
your hands frequently with soap and water, not sharing eating
utensils, drinking cups, or cigarettes, cleaning frequently touched
surfaces, and minimizing close contact with people when sick.
A two-day special MMR vaccine clinic for students, staff and faculty
will be held at the ARC Building on Thursday, August 6th and Friday,
August 7th from 9 am to 3 pm. During that time, University of
Illinois students who present a valid ID card will be eligible to
obtain the vaccine at no cost, and CUPHD will provide free
vaccinations to staff and faculty.
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Information about future vaccination opportunities through McKinley Health
Center will be posted at the McKinley website
http://www.mckinley .illinois.edu.
You can also “Like” Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and Champaign County
Prepares on FACEBOOK to keep up with the latest information related to public
health. Information about mumps can be found on the IDPH website at
www.dph.illinois.gov.
[Illinois Department of Public
Health]
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