Mississippi health officials warn of declining kindergarten vaccination rates
The Mississippi State Department of Health is working with school districts to address declining vaccination rates among kindergarten students, particularly for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, officials said during a recent Board of Health meeting.
While community immunity remains strong statewide, some counties have seen vaccination rates fall below the 95% threshold recommended for herd immunity. In George County, for example, rates are below 92%, raising concern about increased risk of outbreaks, according to Dr. Daniel Edney, the state health officer.
Edney emphasized that no measles cases have been reported in Mississippi, though last year about 2,000 cases were documented nationwide, with 2,100 so far this year. He noted that measles is a sensitive indicator of vaccine-preventable disease activity. The department is collaborating with school districts in low-coverage counties to ensure response plans are current and effective.
He also highlighted that the MMR vaccine is the least adopted childhood vaccine in Mississippi, with some parents applying for religious exemptions. Edney added that health providers are being educated about the fact that exemptions are not contractual and can be reversed or not used at all.
In addition to measles, pertussis remains a concern. Last year, Mississippi reported 146 cases of whooping cough; this year, 37 cases have already been documented, mostly in individuals under 18. Among cases with known vaccination status, five parents refused vaccination for their children, and some cases involved children too young to be vaccinated.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Renia Dotson said most pertussis cases occur in individuals whose immunity has waned after booster shots. The state also reported its first West Nile virus case earlier this month in Hancock County. Last year, Mississippi saw 33 cases of West Nile, a mosquito-borne disease.
Edney expressed optimism about Mississippi’s infant mortality rate, which he expects to fall below the 9.7% reported for 2024, though official numbers are pending due to incomplete death records.
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