New State Data Shows Strong Vaccine Rates

Sacramento, CA — After a measles outbreak two years ago in Disneyland led to immunization legislation, SB277, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) data indicates that Kindergarten vaccine rates remain constant.

“With more than 95 percent of Kindergarteners fully vaccinated for the second year after implementation of SB 277, I am pleased that SB 277 is restoring community immunity in California’s schools,” said State Senator Dr. Richard Pan, who authored the law. “I want to thank public health and school officials who are working hard to educate families about the importance of vaccination to keep students safe from preventable, contagious diseases”

The CDPH Annual Immunization Assessment shows that the proportion of kindergarten students who received all the required vaccines for the 2017-2018 school year is 95.1-percent, a slight 0.4-percent decrease from the prior school year’s 95.6-percent rate, according to health officials. It is the second highest rate reported for the current set of immunization requirements for kindergarten, which began in the 2001-2002 school year. Just five years earlier, the vaccination rate was only 90.7-percent. Health officials note that a vaccination rate above 94- percent is necessary to achieve community immunity to prevent the spread of a measles outbreak.

To find out how Mother Lode schools’ vaccination rates stack up, click here.