IDPH | Illinois Department of Public Health

Family Immunization Resources - Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Family Immunization Resources Get Trustworthy Information on Vaccines for Your Family ICAAP is committed to helping families throughout Illinois make the best, most informed decisions for their health...

📌 Find more resources and details on vaccine requirements by age at:
illinoisaap.org/family-immun...

But there's one more required step before graduation:
✅ Meningococcal ACWY (2nd dose)
Students must have dose 2 on or after their 16th birthday.

🎓 High School Seniors (12th grade)
By now, students should already be vaccinated against:
🛡️ Polio
🛡️ Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
🛡️ Varicella (Chickenpox)
🛡️ Tdap
🛡️ Hepatitis B
🛡️ Meningococcal ACWY (1 of 2 doses)

But 6th grade is also when new vaccines are required:
✅ Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
✅ Hepatitis B
✅ Meningococcal ACWY

Middle School (6th Grade)
By 6th grade, students should already be vaccinated against:
🛡️ DTP/DTaP
🛡️ Polio
🛡️ Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
🛡️ Varicella (Chickenpox)
🛡️ Hepatitis B

🎒 Kindergarten
Time to double-check those vaccine records! Kids entering kindergarten in Illinois must have:
✅ DTP/DTaP (4 or more doses)
✅ Polio (4 doses)
✅ MMR (2 doses)
✅ Varicella (2 doses)

These vaccines are proven to prevent outbreaks in groups settings like childcare and preschool, where germs spread fast.
Check with your pediatrician to make sure your child's records are current.

Preschool & Daycare
Children in this age group need protection from serious illnesses. Required vaccines include:
✅ DTP/DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
✅ Hepatitis B
✅ Hib (Haemophilus influenzae Type B)
✅ MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
✅ Polio
✅ Varicella (Chickenpox)
✅ Pneumococcal

📚✏️ Preparing to head back to school?
Before the year starts, make sure your child is up to date on all required vaccinations. Here's what Illinois students need, starting with preschool/daycare.

⚠️ Still smoky out there.
Air quality remains unhealthy for sensitive groups in most of Illinois today. Limit time outside, especially if you have heart/lung conditions, take breaks if you're active outdoors, and stay up to date on your local AQI at airnow.gov.

Red Air Pollution Action Day – July 31 🔴

Due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, parts of Illinois are experiencing Unhealthy (Red AQI) air quality. Residents are urged to use caution outdoors.

Track air quality in your area at airnow.gov or sign up for alerts at illinois.enviroflash.info.
More from @ilepa.bsky.social:
epa.illinois.gov/content/dam/...

What to do:
✅ Stay indoors
✅ Keep windows/doors shut
✅ Run AC on recirculate
✅ Use HEPA filters
✅ Avoid burning candles/smoking
✅ If outside: take it easy, wear an N-95 mask

🚨 Unhealthy air alert for much of Illinois today due to wildfire smoke. The AQI is in the red (unhealthy) zone for many counties, meaning everyone should take steps to protect their health - especially those with heart/lung conditions, kids, and outdoor workers. 👇

Vaccines are an easy and safe addition to everything you’re already doing to keep your children safe.

Schedule that doctor’s appointment today! | @illinoisaap.bsky.social

Bottom line:
Enjoy your summer - and keep your health (and others') in mind while you do.

What else can you do to stay healthy this summer?
✅ Wash your hands
✅ Stay home if you're sick
✅ Test if you have symptoms
✅ Mask in crowded or high-risk settings
And remember: You can wear a mask any time you'd like another layer of protection. No explanation needed.
✅ Keep air flowing indoors

The vaccine helps protect you from severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Protection decreases over time, so it's important to stay up to date. If you're unsure whether it's time for a booster, talk to your doctor.

People at highest risk:
✅ Kids under 4
✅ Older adults
✅ People who are immunocompromised
If that's you (or someone you love), it's especially important to take precautions.

New variants - Nimbus and Stratus - are circulating.
The good news? They aren't more severe than past variants.
The not-so-good news? They're spreading fast.
Symptoms are familiar: sore throat, cough, fever, fatigue.

Every summer since 2020, we've seen a seasonal surge in COVID cases. This year is no different.
According to the CDC, cases are growing in Illinois and across the country. Let's talk about what that means and how you can stay healthy. 👇

Not sure whether your child is up to date on their vaccinations? Call their doctor today to find out!

Illinois Tobacco Quitline Find free resources customized to fit your needs and schedule to help you quit smoking.

For help quitting tobacco or vaping:
📱Call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline: 1-866-QUIT-YES
🔗Or visit quityes.org

If you smoke, switching completely to a vape product might reduce harm.

BUT if you don’t smoke, don’t start vaping.

And if you’re trying to quit, FDA-approved tools like nicotine patches, gum, or counseling are safer.

Youth e-cigarette and vape use remains a serious public health concern.

5.9% of middle and high school students in the US report that they currently use an e-cigarette – and JUUL remains one of the most recognizable brands among teens.

A single JUUL pod has the same amount of nicotine as 20 cigarettes. And nicotine harms brain development in teens and young adults.

JUULs still carry that risk. Approval does not mean “safe.”

❌JUULs are still not approved for anyone under 21.
❌E-cigarettes can still cause serious health issues.
❌JUULs are still addictive and have high levels of nicotine.

The FDA’s decision is based on whether JUUL’s products can show a potential benefit to adult smokers who might completely switch from cigarettes – not on whether they’re safe for youth or non-smokers.

Last week, the FDA announced that JUUL Labs is now authorized to legally market some of their e-cigarette products.

This doesn’t mean JUULs – or vaping – are safe. It just means they’ve met certain FDA standard for legal sale, not health.

🚨The FDA made a new decision about JUUL e-cigarettes last week. Here’s what it means – and why you should still avoid vaping. 👇