« Back to Communicable Diseases

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Program

One of the greatest success stories in public health is the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing disease. Vaccines trigger the body to protect itself against certain disease-causing germs, and also protect everyone in the community by reducing the possibility of disease outbreaks. Many serious, potentially deadly childhood diseases can be prevented by vaccines including polio, measles, pertussis, chickenpox and tetanus. Cook County Department of Public Health immunization clinics provide free shots for children living in suburban Cook County who meet specific eligibility requirements.

Immunization Clinics

Clinics are by appointment only. All services are provided free of cost.

  • North

    In Rolling Meadows:
    Rolling Meadows Court House
    2121 Euclid Ave. Rolling Meadows
    please call (847) 818-2860

  • West

    In Maywood:
    Eisenhower Tower Building
    1701 S. 1st Ave.
    Please call (708) 786-4000

  • Southwest

    In Bridgeview:
    Bridgeview Court House
    10220 S. 76th Ave.
    Please call (708)974-6160

  • Southeast

    In South Holland:
    Southeastern Health Center of Cook County
    52 W. 162nd Street
    Please call (708) 225-2700
 

In order to qualify for the Federal Vaccine for Children Program, and receive vaccination through CCDPH clinics, children must be in one of the following categories:

  1. Age 0-18 years
  2. Enrolled in Medicaid
  3. Uninsured
  4. Native American or Alaskan Indian
  5. Under-insured (health insurance does not pay for vaccination)

Back to Top

Vaccine Schedules and Resources

To view the 2008 childhood and adolescent immunization schedule on the Centers for Disease Control's Web site.

Childhood Immunization Schedule

In English (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/PDF/wk/mm5641-Immunization.pdf)

In Spanish (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/2008/08_0-6yrs_schedule_pr_sp.pdf) (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/2008/08_7-18yrs_schedule_pr_sp.pdf)

Adult Vaccination Schedule

Adult Vaccination Schedule (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm5641-Immunization.pdf)

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommendations (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/ACIP-list.htm)

Resources:

I-CARE

Mercury (Thimerosal) and Vaccines

Vaccines and Autism: An Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report

Back to Top

Vaccines for Children

In October of 1994, the Illinois Department of Public Health launched Vaccine for Children Plus (VFC Plus) to provide free vaccines to children enrolled in Medicaid, those without health insurance and those without adequate health insurance for vaccinations. Today, nearly 700 doctors and medical facilities in suburban Cook County have joined the VFC Plus program.

VFC Plus reduces cost as a barrier to vaccination and enables better access to health care. Many children are not vaccinated because their parents either do not have health insurance, or their health insurance does not cover vaccinations. For the many who qualify for the no-cost vaccines provided through the VFC program, cost as a barrier to immunization is no longer a problem. All routine childhood immunizations recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are available through VFC Plus. If there are any questions or concerns regarding VFC Plus, please feel free to contact the Vaccine Preventable Disease Unit at (708) 492-2150.

Back to Top

Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program

Hepatitis B (Hep B) infection is a very serious health problem for newborns. Mothers who are infected with Hep B can pass Hep B onto their baby while giving birth. Ninety percent of babies infected with Hep B become chronic carriers of the disease and are at a much higher risk of developing serious liver problems including liver scarring and liver cancer.

When an expectant mother is diagnosed with Hep B CCDPH works closely with healthcare providers to insure that the expectant mother receives the proper medical care needed to prevent the spread of Hep B to her unborn baby. Babies born to Hep B mothers require Hep B immunoglobulin and the first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth.

Back to Top

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Cook County Department of Public Health provides immunizations for the diseases listed below.

Chickenpox (Varicella virus)

Chickenpox, or Varicella virus, is typically mild and self-limiting but may cause very serious complications. Dangerous bacterial infections of the chickenpox skin lesions along with pneumonia are the most often causes of hospitalization. Chickenpox can be a very serious disease for young children less than one year of age and adults older than 15 years. Adults account for only five percent of cases but account for approximately 35 percent of deaths.

  • Do you want to know more about chickenpox? Find out what the CDC’s Pink Book says about chickenpox.
  • Are you getting vaccinated against chickenpox? Read CDC Vaccine Information Statements for chickenpox vaccinations.

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium, Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Complications include heart abnormalities, paralysis of the eye muscles and limbs, difficulty breathing and ear infections. Death occurs in five to 10 percent of all cases. The death rate of those younger than five years or older than 40 years of age climbs to 20 percent.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacterial infections were the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children under five years of age before the introduction of effective vaccines. Throat inflammation, arthritis and skin infections are also common complications of Hib infections.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an acute infection of liver that leads to inflammation of the liver, loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin. Hep A is spread by eating and drinking fecal-contaminated food and water. Hep A is a very expensive disease, costing the United States over $200 million.

  • Do you want to know more about Hepatitis A? Find out what the CDC’s Pink Book says about Hepatitis A.
  • Are you getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A? Here are Vaccine Information Statements for Hepatitis A vaccinations.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a virus spread through blood and infects the liver. Individuals infected with Hep B can develop fulminant hepatitis, a serious condition that can lead to death. Hep B infection can become chronic. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious complications including liver scarring, liver failure, and liver cancer. In the United States, an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 people die from Hep B- related liver cancer each year. Ninety percent of babies infected with Hep B at birth become chronic carriers greatly increasing their risk of liver-related problems. To find out how CCDPH is preventing Hep B in babies born to infected mothers, click here.

  • Do you want to know more about Hepatitis B? Read what the CDC’s Pink Book says about Hepatitis B.
  • Are you getting vaccinated against Hepatitis B? Here are Vaccine Information Statements for Hepatitis B vaccinations.

Influenza (Flu)

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The flu may result mild illness or severe illness accompanied by life-threatening complications. On average, 114,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications and 36,000 Americans die each year from complications of flu. Signs and symptoms of flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. Gastro-intestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are much more common among children than adults. The main way the flu is spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes.

Measles

Approximately 30 percent of reported measles cases result in one or more of the following complications: inner ear infection, pneumonia, brain inflammation, seizures and death. Children younger than five and adults older than 20 years of age are most likely to have complications due to measles infection.

Mumps

Mumps is an infectious disease caused by a virus. The most common symptom of mumps is swelling of the salivary glands close to the jaw. Other symptoms include fever, headache and earache.

More serious symptoms can occur in rare cases, including meningitis, swelling of the testes or ovaries and inflammation of the joints.

Do you want to know more about mumps?

Find out what the CDC’s Pink Book says about mumps.

Are you getting a vaccination against mumps?

Read Vaccine Information Statements for measles/mumps/rubella vaccinations.

Polio (poliomyelitis)

Polio, or Poliomyelitis, is a virus that can lead to paralysis and death. The last outbreak of polio virus in the United States occurred in 1979. Polio is still common in many places around the world. Due to international travel, polio vaccination remains important.

  • Do you want to know more about polio? Find out what the CDC’s Pink Book says about polio.
  • Are you getting vaccinated against polio? Read Vaccine Information Statements for polio vaccinations.

Rubella virus

Rubella virus can lead to arthritis, brain inflammation and internal bleeding. The main objective of rubella vaccination is to prevent rubella syndrome in newborns. In newborns rubella infection may damage all organs leading to congenital defects (deafness, eye defects, heart defects and nerve abnormality) that may not show up for two to four years. Rubella may also lead to fetal death, spontaneous abortion and premature delivery.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is a common cause of middle ear infections in children. Each year over 20 million visits are paid to pediatric doctors offices for middle ear infections. Serious diseases caused by pneumococci infections involve the lungs, blood and brain. Two hundred children die each year from pneumococcal disease.

Tetanus

Tetanus is an acute disease caused by Clostridium tetani. Tetanus commonly causes muscle stiffness, uncontrolled muscle contractions and spasms. Eleven percent of tetanus cases die.

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection. Pertussis was a major cause of childhood deaths in the early 1900s. Routine vaccination has been very successful at decreasing morbidity and mortality due to pertussis.

Pertussis is very serious in young children, with pneumonia being the most common complication. Adults and adolescents usually have milder symptoms without the characteristic "whoop," but are important in the epidemiology of the disease since they often spread the disease to others.

The first symptoms are similar to those of a common cold: a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever and a mild, occasional cough. The symptoms may progress to severe coughing fits particularly at night, with “whooping” (primarily in children), and vomiting after coughing. The cough associated with pertussis usually lasts several weeks.

During 2004, the Chicago Metropolitan Area experienced a large pertussis outbreak, as did the rest of the United States. Adolescents whose immunity had waned since their childhood immunizations were primarily affected, and 65 schools within suburban Cook County had cases of whooping cough. This disease is still circulating in the community.

Early childhood pertussis vaccines provide protection when children are most susceptible to serious illness. Every child should receive doses of the pertussis vaccine at 2, 4, 6, and 15 months and then a booster at 4-6 years of age.

Additionally adults and adolescents should be vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones from pertussis. In 2005, two new vaccines became available for prevention of pertussis in adolescents and adults: Boostrix® (for ages 10 - 18 years) and Adacel™ (for ages 11 - 64 years). Contact your regular healthcare provider for more information.

Updated information from the Illinois Department of Public Health on Preventing Pertussis Deaths in Infants

*All statistics concerning morbidity and mortality come from Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Disease (CDC 2003).

Back to Top