SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) — Illinois continues to lead the nation in childhood immunization, with coverage rates for nearly all school-required vaccines holding at or above the state’s 95% goal, according to the newly updated School Vaccination Coverage Dashboard.

The dashboard, compiled by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) using data submitted by more than 4,600 PreK-12 schools to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), tracks eleven school-required vaccines for the 2025-26 school year. Ten of those vaccines saw slight increases in coverage compared with the previous year, while the only exception, the meningococcal vaccine, improved to 94.39%, up from 93.88%.

Governor JB Pritzker praised the strong numbers as evidence that efforts to expand vaccine access and provide reliable guidance are working. “Our latest school immunization numbers validate our efforts to make vaccines more accessible,” he said. “I’m grateful to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the State Board of Education, school administrators, healthcare professionals, and families for their efforts to keep our state’s youngest residents healthy, informed, and immunized.”

IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said the dashboard reflects broad collaboration among families, schools, and public health partners. “School vaccination rates remain strong, with nearly all immunizations meeting the state’s 95% coverage goal,” Vohra said. “We are committed to ensuring that Illinois families have reliable, science-based information and easy access to vaccinations.”

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders emphasized the role schools play in protecting student health and minimizing disruptions to learning. “The strong immunization rates reflected in this dashboard are the result of the dedication of school nurses, administrators, and families working together,” Sanders said.

Measles coverage remains especially high at 96.78%, keeping Illinois case counts low despite a nationwide surge in cases. The dashboard also shows that while most areas meet or exceed coverage goals, some counties and individual schools fall below the 95% threshold, highlighting the need for continued outreach.

Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, IDPH has strengthened vaccine access and education through multiple measures, including expanded pharmacy immunizations, the adoption of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2026 immunization schedule, and increased expert review through the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee.