Here Are The Vaccination Rates For Kindergartners In Colorado

Nearly every state in America would achieve the recommended vaccination rate for measles, mumps and rubella if non-exempt kindergartners received their shots, according to new estimates published in a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figures from the agency show that in the 2018-19 school year, 2.5 percent of kindergartners had an exemption for at least one vaccine whereas 2.8 percent of kindergartners were not up to date for the measles vaccine and did not have an exemption. In Colorado, the data shows that 87.4 percent of kindergartners were up to date with the measles vaccine. That percentage is the lowest recorded rate in the country.

According to the estimates, 4.9 percent of students in Colorado had a vaccine exemption, which went up from the previous school year. The federal report found that nationally, 0.3 percent of kindergartners had a medical exemption while 2.2 percent had a non-medical exemption.

The data includes figures on vaccination coverage for measles, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) and varicella vaccine.

Here are the vaccine coverage rates for each of the three vaccines among Colorado kindergartners:

Measles, mumps and rubella (2 doses): 87.4 percent
Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTap) (5 doses): 90.3 percent
Varicella (2 doses): 86.5 percent

The report also includes data from Colorado on students provisionally enrolled in schools or attending during a grace period as they catch up with their vaccines. During the 2018-19 school year, 0.6 percent of kindergartners were provisionally enrolled or attending a Colorado school during a grace period.

In Colorado, 100 percent of the total kindergarten population was surveyed.

Nationally, 94.7 percent of kindergartners were vaccinated for measles, just short of the 95 percent or higher amount recommended by federal health officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that if all undervaccinated kindergartners without an exemption received the measles vaccine, 44 states would be at or above the 95 percent threshold.