Kane County Health Department Opens Free Measles Vaccination Clinics

The Kane County Health Department announced that, starting this week, anyone who walks into its Aurora office at 1240 N. Highland Ave. can receive a free measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shot. The clinic runs Monday‑Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and will stay open until September 25.

Why now? The county has logged two measles infections so far in 2026 – the first cases there since 2019 and only two of the four reported in the past three decades. The first patient was an unvaccinated student at Kaneland High School in Maple Park; the school moved to a day of online learning less than two weeks into the new term to limit exposure. A second case, a close contact of the student, was later identified, sparking concerns about up to 1,600 potential exposures, according to health officials.

Both individuals are no longer contagious, but the ripple effect of an outbreak can be far‑reaching. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses we know – it can travel through the air when someone coughs or sneezes, and symptoms range from high fever and cough to a red‑eye rash that starts on the face and spreads outward.

“Getting vaccinated protects more than just the person getting the shot,” said Michael Isaacson, the department’s executive director, in a news release. “It shields babies who are too young for vaccines, pregnant people, those with weakened immune systems, and anyone else who might face serious complications.”

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97 % effective at preventing measles. Even when a vaccinated person does contract the disease, the case is usually milder, and the person is less likely to spread it further. The vaccine, however, isn’t routinely given to infants under one year old, pregnant individuals, or people who are severely immunocompromised – those groups rely on the immunity of those around them.

With the holiday season looming and thousands of measles cases reported nationwide, officials are urging residents to check their immunization records. If you’re unsure whether you’ve had both doses, or if you’ve missed them entirely, swing by the Aurora office before September 25. The shots are free, regardless of insurance status.

For anyone who needs a quick reminder, the MMR schedule calls for the first dose at 12‑15 months and a second dose at 4‑6 years. If you’ve missed a dose or can’t recall, a brief chat with a healthcare provider can set things straight.

In short: a short trip to the health department could protect you, your family, and your neighbors. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference in keeping this highly contagious virus at bay.