CA Kindergarten Vaccination Rates Exceed National Level, Report Shows

CALIFORNIA—Immunization rates for kindergarten students in California remain higher than the national average, an annual report from the California Department of Public Health showed.

According to state public health officials, the 2023-2024 CDPH Kindergarten Immunization Assessment report showed that while measles outbreaks are occurring in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and internationally, the Golden State continues to report more than 95 percent measles, mumps and rubella —MMR—coverage among kindergartners. The state has maintained this level of vaccination—the level necessary to prevent community spread— for nearly a decade, state health officials said.

"California’s immunization requirements for schools are helping protect children and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases," said Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH director and state public health officer. "With recent outbreaks of measles in other states, we can’t stress enough how important it is to stay current with vaccinations. Sadly, the consequences of not getting vaccinated can result in severe illness and even death."

The highly contagious viral disease can be particularly dangerous for infants and young children, according to state health officials. Measles begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis—pink eye—and a rash. Officials say the best way to protect against measles is to get the MMR vaccine, which also prevents mumps and rubella.

U.S. Measles Outbreak: Low Vaccination Rates Found In Most Impacted County

Measles cases are on the rise this year in the United States, with 378 confirmed cases in 18 states as of March 20. The majority of cases have come from a major outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, primarily affecting unvaccinated children who had not received the MMR vaccine, state health officials said. Vaccination rates in the most impacted county in these outbreaks have been reported as low as 82 percent. Two deaths have occurred as the result of these outbreaks—one in New Mexico and one in Texas.

In California, the CDPH has reported eight confirmed measles cases so far this year. All were linked to international travel to countries with current measles outbreaks. People traveling to places hit with measles outbreaks are encouraged to get vaccinated two or three weeks before their date of departure date. This allows the MMR vaccine to develop optimal protection. The state recommends two MMR doses for people 12 months and older, and one dose for babies 6-11 months.

Children In Schools With Lower Vax Rates More At Risk, CDPH Says

The CDPH Kindergarten Immunization Assessment report showed that MMR vaccination rates have remained stable in California. The report found a minor increase in vaccination rates among private school students, from 95.3 percent to 95.8 percent, and a minor decrease among public school students, from 96.6 percent to 96.2 percent.

MMR coverage among California kindergarteners statewide has exceeded 95 percent since at least 2016-2017. Ninety-five percent is an approximate threshold necessary to prevent the transmission of measles.

Here are more findings from the report:

• In 2023-2024, 99 percent of public schools in California and 88 percent of private schools reported student immunization status.
• 94 percent of kindergarten students in California received all required immunizations in 2023-2024, compared to 94 percent in 2022-2023 and 93 percent in 2020-2021.
• In the 2023-2024 school year, 0.1 percent of reported kindergarten students in California were medically exempt from vaccinations, the lowest rate since 2015-2016.

Overall, the report found California kindergarten immunization rates remain higher than national averages reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Immunization rates vary across the state, however, and children in schools and regions with lower rates are at higher risk of contracting and transmitting vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, state health officials said. Efforts to monitor, support and increase immunizations to protect students should continue in all communities, the CDPH said.