December 9, 1997

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The second in a series of public hearings to solicit testimony about the Illinois Department of Public Health's childhood immunization program will be held by the State Board of Health Thursday, Dec. 11, in Chicago and focus on the state's decision to add hepatitis B to school immunization requirements.

The hearing will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 16-504 of the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St. Either written or oral testimony will be accepted and entered into the record. A third hearing is to be held in Springfield next year (no hearing date has been set) and other hearings may be considered if requested.

The state board will use information from the hearings to advise Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, on current childhood immunization requirements and the process for establishing and revising these requirements.

The first hearing was held Oct. 24 and discussed were a national overview of childhood immunizations, the role of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the history and background of Illinois' immunization program, the effectiveness and safety of vaccines and the clinical procedures involved in immunizing children.

The hearings were scheduled due to interest expressed earlier this year by the Illinois General Assembly on how and why immunizations are added to school requirements. Besides legislators, the state board has invited participation from the Illinois Medical Society, the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC, the Hepatitis Foundation and other interested groups.

The State Board of Health advises the public health director on health objectives, policy development, access to necessary services and need assessments and is made up of 15 persons appointed by the governor. The board is chaired by Dr. James L. McGee, medical director of radiation oncology at St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Dr. McGee will chair the hearing.

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments