Lake County to Offer Free Mumps Vaccine for U of I Students

By AMIE SCHAENZER (Patch Staff)

The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center is offering free MMR vaccines to students registered at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign following a mumps outbreak at the university.

Health officials are encouraging students to receive a booster shot before returning to campus -- even if they have already received one or two previous MMR vaccinations.

State-provided vaccines were made available due to the outbreak. Please call (847) 377-8470 for an appointment at the clinic, located at 2303 Dodge Avenue in Waukegan.

The Lake County Health Department provides the following additional information regarding the mumps outbreak and the MMR vaccine:

Evidence indicates that a third dose of MMR can be helpful in controlling mumps outbreaks in this setting. The McKinley Health Center at UIUC, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and the Illinois Department of Public Health are 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.

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.