The number of measles cases reported in Texas continues to grow. These are the North Texas schools most and least at risk of a breakout infection.
DALLAS — A measles case was reported in North Texas on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total of reported measles cases to 125, officials said.
Children ages 5 years old and younger are at the highest risk of serious health complications caused by measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control. State officials on Wednesday said a school-aged child died in Lubbock. The child, whose exact age was not released, was hospitalized last week and tested positive for measles. While one death has been reported, 18 people have been hospitalized in West Texas, officials say. The unvaccinated adult who tested positive for measles in Rockwall County is also hospitalized.
Measles is highly contagious and symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after infection, the CDC said. The disease spreads through infected droplets in the air and the virus can remain infectious up to two hours after an infected person leaves.
Measles is “probably the most infectious contagious disease on the planet,” said Dr. Suzanne Whitworth, division chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Cook Children’s in Fort Worth previously told WFAA. “We know that about 40% of kids under the age of five who get measles are gonna wind up in the hospital, and nobody wants that.”
Vaccination is the best defense against measles, according to the CDC. The vaccine to protect against measles is the MMR vaccine, which covers measles, mumps and rubella.
Public and private schools are required to report the percentage of vaccinated children to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. The department’s data shows that 187 public school districts and private schools had a kindergarten measles (MMR) vaccination rate of less than 95% in the 2023-2024 school year. Herd immunity for measles is achieved when 95% of the population is vaccinated, according to the World Health Organization. Herd immunity is achieved when enough community members are immune to a virus so that it inhibits spread.
Of course, kindergarten vaccination rates only tell a portion of the story. Herd immunity is only achieved when the entire community has a vaccination rate of over 95%. Communities with lower vaccination rates are at greater risk of a breakout of measles infections, according to the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
Of all public and private North Texas schools, ten private schools had the lowest vaccination rate for measles (the MMR vaccine) last school year:
- Mercy Culture Preparatory Academy: 14.29%
- Dallas Christian Academy: 25.00%
- Collin County Cornerstone Christian Academy: 38.10%
- Excellence Academy: 38.46%
- Grace Classical Christian Academy: 42.86%
- Stonegate Christian Academy: 44.44%
- St Anthony School: 46.15%
- Cleburne Christian Academy: 50.00%
- Victory Christian Academy: 52.38%
- Lakeland Christian Academy: 52.63%
About 62 North Texas schools had a 100% vaccination rate among kindergartners in the 2023-2024 school year. Here are the measles vaccination rates for every North Texas school and public school district.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services also breaks down school-age vaccination rates by county. According to the latest data from the 2023-2024 school year, zero North Texas counties have a kindergarten measles vaccination rate high enough to achieve herd immunity.
Wise County had the lowest kindergarten vaccination rates relative to other North Texas counties, according to Texas Department of Health and Human Services data. Rockwall County, which so far has the only reported measles infection in North Texas, had a kindergarten vaccination rate of 91% during the 2023-2024 school year.
Johnson and Dallas counties had the highest vaccination rate, around 94%.
Statewide, the kindergarten measles vaccination rate has steadily declined, from nearly 97% in 2019 to 94.3% last school year. If you’re concerned about your school-age child or loved one becoming infected, Dr. Whitworth reminds families the vaccine has saved countless lives.
“Make sure the parents; vaccines are up to date, make sure the siblings’ vaccines are up to date. If grandparents are keeping those kids, make sure the grandparents’ vaccines are up to date,” Whitworth previously told WFAA. “Avoid any contact with people who have cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash. Avoid all ill contacts.”
You can check the recommended vaccination schedule and additional information here.
