Measles Vaccination Rates in Tarrant County
Introduction to Measles Vaccination
More Tarrant County kindergartners were vaccinated against measles last year, largely due to a notable increase in Fort Worth students who were up to date on their shots, according to the latest data.
Across all Tarrant County schools, almost 94% of kindergartners were vaccinated with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in the 2024-25 school year, up from 92% the year before.
The biggest improvement was in the Fort Worth school district, which increased its MMR vaccination rate from 84% to 95%. The school district previously had the second-lowest vaccination rate of the 10 largest school districts in Texas.
Reasons Behind the Improvement in Vaccination Rates
Fort Worth’s vaccination rate improved thanks to increased communication between the parents and the district, said Shannon Cooper, the director of health services for the district. Cooper said she and Superintendent Karen Molinar decided to get campus administrators involved in improving vaccination rates and supporting school nurses.
“We started planning for communications to start early out to families about what was needed,” she said.
Social media was particularly effective at reaching parents, Cooper said.
The district also continued its partnerships with Tarrant County Public Health and UNT Health Fort Worth’s pediatric mobile clinic to connect families with vaccines.
Cooper added that students of all ages, and not just kindergartners, saw improved vaccination rates.
National Trends in Measles Vaccination
Fort Worth’s increase in vaccinations comes as the nation as a whole experienced a slight decrease in kindergartners vaccinated, down to 92.5%, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
And although Tarrant County’s overall MMR vaccination rate improved, there was also an increase in the number of families filing conscientious exemptions for their children. The share of kindergartners with an exemption for at least one vaccine increased from 3.2% to 4.2% last year.
Vaccination Rates by Campus
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported last year that vaccination rates varied widely by campus, with schools like the Mercy Culture Preparatory Academy having just 5% of their students vaccinated, the second lowest rate in the entire state. Other schools reported 100% of kindergartners vaccinated.
At vaccination rates of 90% or below, data indicates the chance of an outbreak at a school rises to 51% if someone comes to school with measles. The lower the rate gets, the more likely an outbreak.
It’s the campus rates, not the county- or district-wide rates, that matter most in terms of preventing an outbreak, said Dr. David Higgins, a pediatrician and professor at the University of Colorado’s medical school.
“The vaccination rate at that hyper-local level is what actually really matters,” Higgins said.
Measles Outbreaks and Their Impact
Low vaccination rates in Gaines County on the New Mexico border contributed to a measles outbreak this year that ultimately infected 762 people, killing two children.
It was the nation’s largest measles outbreak since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.
Data on vaccine uptake is delayed by a year, so any impact the measles outbreak in West Texas had on vaccination rates won’t be clear until next year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the increase in measles vaccination rates in Tarrant County is a positive step towards preventing outbreaks and protecting public health. However, the variation in vaccination rates by campus and the increase in conscientious exemptions are concerns that need to be addressed. By continuing to improve communication and partnerships between parents, schools, and healthcare providers, we can work towards achieving even higher vaccination rates and preventing future outbreaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current measles vaccination rate in Tarrant County?
A: The current measles vaccination rate in Tarrant County is almost 94%, up from 92% the previous year.
Q: What contributed to the improvement in vaccination rates in Fort Worth?
A: The improvement in vaccination rates in Fort Worth was due to increased communication between parents and the district, as well as partnerships with local health organizations and the use of social media to reach parents.
Q: What is the impact of low vaccination rates on the risk of outbreaks?
A: Low vaccination rates increase the risk of outbreaks, with rates of 90% or below indicating a 51% chance of an outbreak if someone comes to school with measles.
Q: How do vaccination rates vary by campus?
A: Vaccination rates vary widely by campus, with some schools reporting rates as low as 5% and others reporting rates of 100%.
Q: What can be done to improve vaccination rates and prevent outbreaks?
A: Improving communication and partnerships between parents, schools, and healthcare providers, as well as addressing concerns and increasing access to vaccines, can help improve vaccination rates and prevent outbreaks.
