Small children will now be further protected from exposure to contagious diseases, such as the measles.
Gov. Rauner signed legislation requiring all daycare workers who care for children younger than age seven to present proof of measles, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccinations or immunity. The legislation was introduced in response to an outbreak of measles in Cook County this year, where a majority of cases were found to be linked to a childcare facility.
Ensuring childcare workers are vaccinated is particularly important when they are caring for children younger than age seven, because babies and young children have not received the full protection of many of the important immunizations that would protect them from potentially deadly illnesses.