Illinois updates school vaccination dashboard with new data for 2024-25 school year

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has updated its Illinois School Vaccination Coverage Dashboard to include the latest data from the 2024-25 school year. This platform offers insights into vaccination trends across the state, utilizing information collected by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra emphasized the importance of the dashboard, stating, "Providing Illinois residents with access to real-time data to guide their medical decision-making is a critical IDPH priority.” He urged parents to ensure vaccinations are current, noting, “As measles outbreaks spread through various parts of the United States, it is now more important than ever to make sure you and your family members are up to date with all age-appropriate immunizations."

Dr. Tony Sanders, Illinois State Superintendent of Education, highlighted the importance of vaccinations for keeping children in school. "Vaccinations are one of the most effective tools we have to protect children from serious, preventable diseases and to keep them learning in school," said Sanders. He stressed the need for understanding where vaccination gaps exist to protect every student’s health and educational opportunities.

According to the dashboard, the measles vaccination rate for school children in Illinois remains over 95% for the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, more than 70% of schools have exceeded the 95% vaccination threshold, lowering the likelihood of outbreaks. Nonetheless, 10% of schools have reported vaccination coverage below 91%, posing a risk for potential outbreaks.

The dashboard also reveals changes in school vaccination coverage, noting the largest increases in pneumococcal pneumonia and Hib vaccinations. However, slight declines are observed in other vaccinations, such as measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and DTP/DTaP/TD. Traditional public schools have displayed higher vaccination rates compared to charter and nonpublic schools.

The data, sourced from ISBE's Immunization School Survey Results and Directory of Education Entities, is available for the public, complying with data privacy and security policies. It allows users to explore trends and coverage rates by year, immunization type, and various demographics.

For further guidance on navigating and understanding the dashboard, a "Data Overview" section and user tutorials are available. This dashboard complements the IDPH Measles School Outbreak Simulator Dashboard, helping officials evaluate potential exposure risks within schools.