Titers/Immunity Testing
The health department provides Titers to check for immunity to certain diseases, including Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (Chicken Pox), and Hepatitis B. Call (309) 888-5435 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Why Immunize/Vaccinate?
Immunizations are one of public health's greatest achievements. Unfortunately, thousands of people each year die from vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Immunizations are a critical component to keeping our community safe and healthy.
Some diseases (like polio and diphtheria) are becoming very rare in the U.S. Of course, they are becoming rare largely because we have been vaccinating against them for decades. Unless we eliminate the disease completely, it is important to keep immunizing. Even if there are only a few cases of disease today, if we take away the protection given by vaccination, more and more people will be infected and will spread disease to others. We risk undoing the progress we have made over the years. Watch the video below to learn how herd immunity works!
We don't vaccinate just to protect our children. We also vaccinate to protect our grandchildren and their grandchildren. With one disease, smallpox, we "stopped the leak" in the boat by eradicating the disease. Our children don't have to get smallpox shots anymore, because the disease no longer exists. If we keep vaccinating now, parents in the future may be able to trust that diseases like polio and meningitis won't infect, cripple, or kill children. Vaccination is one of the best ways to put an end to the serious effects of certain diseases.