Florida Sees Lowest Immunization Rates in a Decade, Amid Measles Outbreak
Florida is currently facing a measles outbreak, with confirmed cases emerging in Broward and Polk counties. This comes as the state’s Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, defies federal health guidance and allows parents to decide whether or not to send their children back to schools with confirmed cases. Ladapo has been known for his skepticism towards COVID mRNA vaccines, despite federal health officials repeatedly stating their safety and effectiveness. This validation of vaccine hesitancy has had a significant impact on routine immunizations for schools in Florida.
According to the Florida Department of Health, the 2021-2022 school year saw the lowest immunization rates in a decade, with only 91.7% of students providing proof of immunization. This falls below the national average of 93% for the same year. The data collected from kindergarteners over the past five years shows a concerning trend of increasing numbers of unvaccinated students against measles.
It is important to note that the county-specific data does not include the Florida Virtual School, where 83.8% of the 681 students provided proof of vaccination. However, there are limitations to the data due to outliers and incomplete data collection from private schools. The Florida Department of Health has not yet provided an update on the data for the 2022-2023 school year.
In Florida, students in kindergarten through sixth grade are required to submit a form certifying that they have received the necessary vaccines, including two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shot. However, the percentage of kindergarten students who submitted the form dropped to 91.7% in the 2021-2022 school year, lower than both the national average and the average in Florida five years prior. This decline is attributed to the impact of the pandemic.
The goal for immunization coverage is 95%, but only a little over a quarter of counties in Florida met or exceeded this goal in the 2021-2022 school year. Children who do not submit the form must have an exemption on file, which can be a temporary medical exemption, a permanent medical exemption, or a religious exemption. The report states that more than 3% of students claimed a religious exemption in the 2021-2022 school year, the highest ever recorded.
Measles cases have been reported in 15 states across the country, with a total of 35 cases as of February 22, 2023. This comes as vaccination rates for kindergarteners have dropped by approximately two percentage points since before the pandemic. The CDC reported a total of 58 measles cases in 2023.
The current measles outbreak in Florida highlights the consequences of vaccine hesitancy and the importance of maintaining high immunization rates. While the state’s Surgeon General and some parents may question the safety and efficacy of vaccines, it is crucial to rely on scientific evidence and expert guidance to protect public health. The decline in immunization rates poses a risk not only to those who are unvaccinated but also to the broader community. It is essential for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and parents to work together to address vaccine hesitancy and ensure that children are protected against preventable diseases.
