Vaccination rates among kindergarteners in three counties in Western Massachusetts have fallen below the threshold necessary to achieve herd immunity against measles. According to data released by the *Washington Post* last week, only 93.8% of kindergarteners in Hampden County have received the two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The figures are even lower in Franklin County and Berkshire County, where 91.5% and 91.8% of children, respectively, have been vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a vaccination rate of at least 95% to effectively protect communities through herd immunity.
Despite broader regions of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut reporting vaccination rates above 95%, Western Massachusetts reveals concerning trends. In addition to the three counties mentioned, vaccination rates have also decreased in Suffolk County and on Nantucket. Public health officials are now focused on improving vaccine confidence in the area.
Jessica Collins, executive director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, emphasized the challenges posed by misinformation. “Our biggest battle now is there’s a lot of misinformation and confusion,” she stated. Health officials are actively seeking community members to serve as advocates for vaccination, highlighting the pivotal roles of pediatricians and school nurses as “critical messengers.”
The situation has gained urgency following criticism from the Healey administration regarding the previous administration’s decision to remove certain vaccines from the recommended list for children. Dr. Robbie Goldstein, the state’s public health commissioner, described the move as reckless, stating it “abandoned decades of rigorous, evidence-based science and replaced clear public health guidance with confusion and doubt.” The measles vaccine remains a priority for the CDC, especially in light of recent outbreaks across the country.
Massachusetts has maintained a relatively low incidence of measles, with only one case reported over the past five years. Nonetheless, the number of vaccine exemptions for medical or religious reasons has been notably higher in Franklin and Berkshire counties than in other parts of the state. To combat these low vaccination rates, the state plans to reach out to schools reporting low figures, providing information on the importance of vaccines and the dangers associated with measles.
In October, a small outbreak of chickenpox in Westfield schools led to contract tracing and quarantines for several students. Fawne St. Pierre, the district’s health and safety supervisor, noted that while chickenpox is generally mild, the risks associated with measles are far greater. “The real fear is measles. We really hope we don’t ever see that,” she remarked.
Phoebe Walker, director of community health for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, stressed that society is not accustomed to handling a disease as contagious as measles. According to the CDC, nine out of ten unvaccinated individuals who come into contact with an infected person will contract the disease. Walker also pointed out that rural challenges complicate vaccination efforts in the 26-town region she oversees. Many areas lack pediatric practices, and smaller clinics may not have the necessary facilities to store vaccines appropriately.
The pandemic altered vaccination habits, leading many to seek their shots at local pharmacies, but Walker noted that options are limited in her region, with some pharmacies not providing vaccinations for children. “So there’s a lot of layers of barriers,” she explained.
While vaccination rates in Western Massachusetts remain better than in some other parts of the country, the situation remains alarming. Walker emphasized the need for education and preparedness, suggesting that building relationships with school nurses and identifying vulnerable schools are essential steps moving forward. “Our rates are still good compared to other parts of the country,” she concluded, “but these are terrifying times.”
