By Laura Bailey
In the 2023-2024 school year, Bristol Public Schools have reported high vaccination rates among kindergarten students, with nearly all schools achieving 100% coverage for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The MMR vaccine, which is required for all kindergarten students, is part of the state’s mandated vaccine series that also includes vaccines for polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP), hepatitis B, varicella, and hepatitis A. In addition, seventh-grade students are required to receive the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) and Tdap.
According to recent data, all of the city’s elementary schools, including Ellen P. Hubbell, Greene Hills, Ivy Drive, South Side, Stafford, and West Bristol, reported 100% MMR vaccination rates for the 2023-2024 kindergarten class.
However, a few schools saw slightly lower rates. Mountain View School reported 95.8% coverage, with a small percentage (2.1%) holding medical exemptions. Chippens Hill Middle School and Northeast Middle School reported coverage rates of 99.5% and 99.2%, respectively, with minor religious exemptions. West Bristol School, with a 97.2% vaccination rate, had 2.8% of students opting for religious exemptions.
Connecticut has been an outlier in the national trend, where kindergarten vaccination rates have generally declined. In contrast, the state’s MMR vaccination rate for kindergarten students increased slightly to 97.7% in 2023-2024, marking a 0.4% rise from the previous year. Public schools in Connecticut showed even higher coverage, with a 98.0% MMR rate, far exceeding the national average. In comparison, private school MMR coverage was reported at 93.6%.
This trend in Connecticut places the state among just 11 states or jurisdictions nationwide that have achieved the 95% vaccination rate needed to maintain herd immunity against measles, a highly contagious virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend maintaining a 95% vaccination threshold to prevent outbreaks.
Nationally, however, measles cases are on the rise. As of December 5, 2024, the CDC reported 283 cases of measles across 32 U.S. jurisdictions, including states like California, Florida, New York, and Illinois. Of these cases, nearly half (42%) were children under the age of 5. The remaining cases were spread across children and young adults (31%) and adults (27%).
Measles, which can lead to serious complications, is one of the world’s most contagious viruses. Experts warn that the rise in cases is a result of lower-than-necessary vaccination rates, as well as increased travel and movement across borders.
“Measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “To save even more lives and stop this deadly virus from harming the most vulnerable, we must invest in immunization for every person, no matter where they live.”
In response to the increase in cases, CDC Director Mandy Cohen stressed the importance of continued investment in immunization efforts.
“The measles vaccine is our best protection against the virus, and we must continue to increase access,” she said.
While Bristol’s vaccination rates are promising, health officials continue to stress the importance of widespread vaccination to protect not only children but also vulnerable populations such as infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.
Laura Bailey can be reached at lbailey@bristoledition.org
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