Measles Outbreak in West Texas Raises Concerns Over Austin ISD’s Vaccination Rates. Amid the ongoing measles outbreak, Austin Independent School District (AISD) has seen a vaccination rate below target for its youngest students. According to data from the Department of State Health Services, only 83.67% of incoming kindergarteners received the MMR vaccine in the 2023-24 school year, marking a significant drop from pre-pandemic levels.
Public health experts emphasize that around 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated against measles to achieve “herd immunity” and prevent outbreaks. AISD’s executive director of health services and nursing, Alana Bejarano, attributes the decline in vaccination rates to the COVID-19 pandemic, stating it led to a period of “catch-up” efforts.
While there has been some progress, with the district’s rate rising to around 88% for kindergarteners, this still falls short of the target. The state allows conscientious exemptions for certain students, but AISD’s exemption rate remains low at 2.31%. Bejarano attributes a portion of unvaccinated students to parents who are in the process of obtaining exemptions or have recently moved into the district.
The district follows state law and offers a 30-day provisional admission period for non-compliant students. However, this can be challenging, particularly with homeless students or those who leave and re-enroll. Bejarano acknowledges the complexity of school settings and the need to balance vaccination requirements with parental concerns.
Comparing AISD’s rate to other Central Texas districts, it falls short of the 96% mark set by Eanes ISD and Hays CISD. However, some local private schools have lower rates, including Austin Waldorf School at just under 64%.
Source: https://www.kut.org/health/2025-02-28/texas-measles-austin-isd-independent-school-district-vaccines