Amid measles outbreaks across the country and an overall downturn in nationwide vaccination rates, 窪蹋勛圖厙 public health officials announced Tuesday that the state ranks first in the country for the two-dose measles vaccination rate among kindergartners.
Statewide, 98.3% of kindergarteners were vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) for the 2024-25 school year, a rise of half a percent from the previous year. Thats according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
窪蹋勛圖厙s rise in vaccination rates though marginal is in contrast to the rest of the country. Nationally, vaccination coverage among kindergartners dropped to less than 93% for MMR and also polio.
Across the U.S., a total of 1,333 confirmed measles cases were reported across the country, including in New York City, and neighboring Rhode Island. No cases have been reported in 窪蹋勛圖厙 as of July 29, according to the CDC.
High vaccination rates protect both vaccinated children and those who can not, or have not, been vaccinated by creating herd immunity, according to the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Department of Public Health. But for MMR herd immunity to kick in, at least 95% of kindergarteners must be vaccinated.
Our high vaccination rates have helped 窪蹋勛圖厙 remain one of ten states that has not had a case of measles yet as cases continue to accumulate around the country, Dr. Manisha Juthani, DPHs commissioner, said in a statement.
Non-medical vaccine exemptions in 窪蹋勛圖厙 decreased slightly from the 2023-24 to the 2024-25 school years but rose nationally by 0.3%, CDC data shows.
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To get your childs vaccine record securely online, visit. The CT WiZ Public Portal is a free service provided by the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Department of Public Health Immunization Program.胼
If you have vaccine-related questions, call the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Vaccine Program at 860-509-7929 or email dph.immunizations@ct.gov