OREGON – Measles vaccination rates in Ogle County schools have declined to 95.2% for the 2024-2025 school year, down from 98.1% in 2015-2016, falling short of Lee County at 96.7% and DeKalb County at 96.8%. While the county’s rate remains above Illinois’ 95% threshold for herd immunity, some schools report significantly lower coverage, including Faith Christian School in Dixon at 76.2% and Eswood Community Consolidated School in Lindenwood at 82.1%. Rochelle schools average 96.9%, the highest in the area.
Melissa Spangler, Public Health Administrator of the Ogle County Health Department, said that you can get vaccinated anytime.
“Older children, adolescents, and adults need one or two doses of the MMR vaccine if they don’t have evidence of immunity,” she said. “Most people who are vaccinated with the MMR and the MMRV will be protected for life. So yeah, if they don’t have it, you can come here to the health department and we’ll help you out with that.”
Though most Illinois schools meet state vaccination goals, about 10% statewide remain below 91%, increasing the risk of outbreaks, especially in areas with declining immunization levels.
