At a time when measles outbreaks are occurring in at least nine states and one unvaccinated child has died in Texas, a review of vaccination rates in Oklahoma shows the state’s vaccination rate is at an unsafe level for preventing possible outbreaks.
These vaccination rates by county from the Oklahoma State Department of Health show a high overall rate in McCurtain County, but significantly lower percentages in neighboring counties. However, specific data from local schools shows measles vaccination rates as low as 55 percent in some kindergarten classes, according to OSDH information. (Contributed graphic.)
For the 2023-2024 school year, Oklahoma had an 88.3 percent vaccination rate, which is well below the 95 percent threshold needed for herd immunity.
Measles vaccinations are available at the county health department for uninsured or under-insured children.
Those with insurance can get the vaccination with a provider or a pharmacy.
The vast majority of children get measles vaccinations before entering childcare or school, and the vaccine is highly effective, according to the Oklahoma Health Department.
The MMR vaccination is for measles, mumps and rubella. One dose of MMR is 93 percent effective against measles, 78 percent effective against mumps, and 97 percent effective against rubella.
Two doses of MMR are 97 percent against measles and 88 percent effective against mumps, the state health department reports.
About 3 out of 100 people who get two doses of MMR vaccine will get measles if exposed to the virus. However, they are more likely to get a milder case of measles, and are also less likely to transmit it to other people.
MMRV vaccine, which also prevents varicella (chickenpox) is licensed for use in children 12 months through 12 years of age. The Center for Disease Control suggests children get one dose of MMRV vaccine at 12 months through 15 months of age and a second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.
There is no federal law requiring measles vaccinations, but all 50 states and the District of Columbia have state laws requiring children who attend childcare or public schools to have certain vaccinations.
OSDH officials stated on Friday that information was being distributed about potential measles infections due to the situation in Texas, especially in counties (such as McCurtain) that border that state.
McCurtain County also gets a huge number of Texas visitors.
Vaccination rates in schools
Information from the Oklahoma State Department of Health shows that McCurtain County had a 93 percent vaccination rate for kindergarten students in public or private schools.
Rates in surrounding counties were, however, lower, with Pushmataha County having 80 percent of kindergarten students vaccinated. Choctaw had 88 percent, while LeFlore was in the best shape, with 90 percent.
The above percentages, however, apply to all vaccinations, including those for hepatitis B, polio, etc. OSDH noted that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination had the lowest rates.
Individual public schools in McCurtain County had the following percentages for measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations of kindergarten students.
- Battiest: 62.5 percent.
- Broken Bow (Dierks Elementary): 80.95 percent.
- Denison: 73.53 percent.
- Eagletown: 54.55 percent.
- Forest Grove: 88.89 percent.
- Holly Creek: 92.59 percent.
- Idabel (Primary South): 97.65 percent.
- Lukfata: 81.58 percent.
- Smithville: 94.44 percent.
- Valliant: 87.5 percent.
- Wright City: 84.85 percent.
Haworth was not listed in the information published by OSDH (as submission of the information is voluntary).
Glover was included with no data as the school had less than 10 Kindergarten students at the time the data was collected. Schools with classes that small are not included to protect student anonymity.
