With pertussis cases on the rise in Illinois, JEWEL-OSCO and the Chicago Area Immunization Campaign (CAIC) have partnered to raise awareness of the importance of vaccinations in conjunction with the CDC’s National Infant Immunization Week, April 23-April 30. Recent outbreaks across the country confirm that pertussis—commonly known as whooping cough—continue to pose a serious health threat. In Illinois, reports of pertussis have increased dramatically with over 1,000 cases in 2010 compared to less than 700 in cases from 2009, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. In California, where over 7,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in 2010, there were 10 fatal cases; all of whom were infants younger than three months. During National Infant Immunization Week, more than 160 JEWEL-OSCO stores in the Chicagoland area will provide pharmacy customers with cards that list immunizations offered at JEWEL-OSCO as well as websites with local clinics, facts and guidelines for immunizations. Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases that can be prevented through immunization. To locate a facility that offers immunizations through the Vaccines for Children’s program, a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children whose parents cannot afford them, call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636). For a list of clinics in the Chicagoland region, visit www.ilmaternal.org.