State measles vaccination rates down for sixth straight year

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is reporting a new low in measles vaccination rates as the common childhood illness resurges in other parts of the country.

The department reports that Missouri kindergartners from the 2025-2026 school year had an 89.5% measles vaccination rate, ranking Missouri 15th lowest in the nation, according to the CDC. At least 95% of the community must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity for measles.

The numbers were released in August.

DHSS also reports the rate has been in a steady decline. Prior reporting found that the vaccination rate for the 2020 to 2021 school year was at 92.6%. This decreased to 91.3% in 2022 and 90% in 2024. Eighth-grade rates also saw a drop from 97.6% in 2021 to 96.2% in this past school year.

Religious exemptions for vaccines have also jumped a full percent from 4.8% in 2024 to 5.5% for the 2025 school year.

Statewide immunization rates for polio have also dropped to 89.6% in the 2025 school year. However, the herd immunity rate for polio is 80%.

Many medical experts believe the decline is related to misinformation about vaccines that became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has questioned the safety of the combined measles-mumps-rubella vaccine given to American children.

The average vaccination rate in Mid-Missouri in the 2025 school year was 89.5%, with around a 5.8% exemption rate. The county with the highest vaccination rate locally is Cooper at around 96%; the lowest is Benton County at around 65%.

Last year, Missouri had six cases of measles. So far, five cases have been reported in 2026.

The CDC reports that symptoms begin two to three days after infection, starting with tiny white spots appearing inside the mouth. Rashes begin to form at three to five days. They typically start at the face or hairline and spread down the body; the child may also have a fever.

There is no antiviral treatment for measles, and the disease can last 10 to 14 days. The CDC also reports that around 1-in-5 unvaccinated people who have measles become hospitalized, while 1-in-20 children with measles gets pneumonia.

Families who may be underinsured or Medicaid-eligible may qualify for Missouri's Vaccines for Children Program. Children in the program are able to receive free vaccines before their 19th birthday.

This is an ongoing story.