(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — While no cases of measles have been reported so far this year in Illinois, a major outbreak in Texas worries a local infectious disease specialist.
Dr. Jonathan Pinsky, the medical director of infection control at Edward Hospital in Naperville, says the good news is measles vaccination rates are high in Illinois.
However, he says children under the age of 1 are too young to get vaccinated.
“They get their first vaccine at age one, and then another vaccine before they enter kindergarten. And so, all infants are at risk until they can become fully vaccinated,” Dr. Pinsky said.
He urges parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible.
Dr. Pinsky also worries about adults, who have not been vaccinated.
“We're worried about our children the most, you know, especially, you know, babies under 1, or if for some reason you weren't vaccinated as a child. Measles can be very serious, very contagious and deadly if you're not immunized.”
The Illinois Department of Public Health says 67 cases of measles were reported in the state last year, the largest number since 1990.
Public health officials say the vast majority of last year's cases were linked to a migrant shelter in Chicago.
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