Utah vaccination rates drop as national measles cases rise

SALT LAKE CITY — Childhood vaccination rates in Utah are dropping as measles cases increase in the U.S. However, health officials say vaccines are safe and effective. 

In 2000, the World Health Organization declared measles eradicated after no cases were reported for three weeks. But this year measles is surging, especially in Oregon. That state faces its worst outbreak since the early 1990s.

As of now no measles cases have been reported in Utah. Cases are being reported across the nation. With kids back in school the spread of illness increases.

Rich Lakin, the state director of immunization with the Utah Health Department said 90%  of kindergarteners in Utah were immunized. That rate sits at 87% today. 

Additionally, Lakin said parents can see what the vaccination rate looks like at schools that their children attend. 

“We have every school and the vaccination rate of that school online. Parents can go in and they can view what the exemption rate would be in that particular school,” he said.

You can view those statistics at immunize.utah.gov.

With the upcoming holiday season, health officials urge unvaccinated people from travelling overseas. They recommend people get vaccinated for COVID, RSV and flu.

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