(FOX40.COM) — The 2023-2024 report on vaccination rates for California students was released and shows immunization for kindergarteners in the state is higher than the national average, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Video Above: Doctor explains dangers of the measles virus, encourages vaccination
This comes as measles outbreaks and exposures have been reported around the world including Tuolumne County in Northern California.
Nevertheless, California reports more than 95% measles, mumps and rubella coverage among kindergarteners, according to CDPH.
Key findings from the 2023-2024 report include:
- In 2023-2024, 99% of public schools and 88% of private schools reported student immunization status.
- 94% of kindergarten students received all required immunizations in 2023-2024, compared to 94% in 2022-2023 and 93% in 2020-2021.
- In the 2023-2024 school year, only 0.1% of reported kindergarten students had medical exemptions, the lowest rate since 2015-2016.
- California vaccination completion rates among kindergarteners remain high and exceed nationwide rates in the U.S.
“California’s immunization requirements for schools are helping protect children and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, Dr. Erica Pan. “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.”
As of March 2025, CDPH has reported eight measles cases in California this year. All were linked to international travel to countries with current measles outbreaks.
According to CDPH, as of March 20 of this year, there have been 378 confirmed measles cases in 18 U.S. states. They confirm the majority come from Texas and New Mexico and are primarily affecting children who have not received the MMR vaccine.
A person in Texas and a person in New Mexico have died due to measles.
CDPH said measles symptoms begin with a fever, followed by a cough, runny nose, pink eye, and a rash. CDPH recommends getting the MMR vaccine to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella.
CDPH also encourages people planning to travel to areas where measles outbreaks are occurring, to get vaccinated.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
