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Illinois Rep. Files Legislation On Child Vaccines

Flickr user frankieleon / "Vaccination" (CC BY 2.0)

Illinois Representative Mike Zalewski filed legislation to clarify state regulations on child vaccines. 

Zalewski's resolution follows a widely reported measles infection at a Palatine day care center. Seven of the eight cases in Cook County are tied to the measles cluster health officials started investigating last week at the KinderCare Learning Center. The total cases include two adults and six infants, all of whom were not vaccinated.

The cases are among more than 100 nationwide this year. Health officials warn nearly anyone exposed to measles can be infected if unvaccinated.

Zalewski says the public health department needs to tighten criteria for why kids can opt out of vaccinations by next school year and better clarify regulations.

The state generally requires vaccinations for older children in day care centers, but measles shots are not recommended for children under age one. Any rule issued by the department must be approved by legislators.

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