CDC: MMR vaccinations fall for children

According to new CDC data, the rate of vaccinations against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) for kindergarteners has fallen below the optimum target rate of 95% for the second year in a row, declining to 93%.

“While this is a small decline, this is the lowest MMR rate reported in almost a decade and leaves approximately 250,000 school children unvaccinated and unprotected against measles, one of the world’s most contagious viruses,” a recent Kaiser Family Foundation brief said.

Vaccine hesitancy is likely playing a role.

The United States’ Healthy People 2030 target of 95% reflects the coverage rate deemed high enough to ensure herd immunity against community transmission. MMR vaccinations are regarded as critical because of the contagious nature of measles.

CDC advises that the initial dose of MMR vaccines be administered at the age of 12–15 months, with a second dose given at 4–6 years old.