Measles immunity gaps widen in Iowa, new county data shows
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Measles vaccination rates for kindergartners reached the "herd immunity" threshold in just five of Iowa's 99 counties after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data collected and analyzed by the Washington Post.
Why it matters: No Des Moines–area county has reached the vaccination level needed to prevent the spread of the virus, leaving central Iowa more vulnerable.
State of play: Health officials confirmed the first Polk County case in nearly 30 years just before Christmas, involving a child too young to be immunized.
- The area's vaccination rate was roughly 10 percentage points below the 95% level widely used as a benchmark for when the virus has fewer opportunities to spread from person to person, KCRG reports.
By the numbers: There were 2,144 confirmed cases in the U.S. last year, up more than 650% from 285 the previous year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- There were nine cases in Iowa last year.
The big picture: The Post reviewed post-pandemic data from 2023 or 2024 and found that the number of counties meeting herd immunity levels fell from about half to 28%.
- In Iowa, 40 counties — including Polk and Dallas — had a vaccination rate of 95% or higher in 2018–2019, according to the Post.
Zoom in: Ringgold, Tama, Osceola, Union and Grundy had the highest vaccination rates since the pandemic and reached the herd immunity level.
- Humboldt (72%) and Harrison (75%) had the lowest, per the Post.
Among Polk County schools, Holy Family Catholic School and Delaware Elementary in DSM and Clay Elementary in Altoona had the highest vaccination rates, with nearly 98% or higher.
- The lowest were AlRazi Academy in WDM (58%); Joshua Christian Academy in DSM (71%); and Ankeny Christian Academy Elementary (76%), according to data published by the Post.
The intrigue: As of July 2024, Iowa students no longer need to have a religious exemption notarized. Instead, guardians may sign a waiver based on "genuine and sincere religious belief."
- And last year, Iowa lawmakers passed a law requiring schools to publish information on how families can seek exemptions to the state's required vaccinations.
Stunning stat: About 19,000 Iowa students weren't vaccinated last year for religious reasons, KCRG reports.
- In total, about 7.1% of students were under- or unvaccinated in the last school year, up from 4.4% a decade ago, WHO-TV reports.
What they're saying: The Polk County Health Department is trying to rebuild confidence in vaccines by partnering with health care providers to provide clearer, more consistent information, spokesperson Addie Olson tells Axios.
- The department also offers low-cost or free vaccines and works with schools to conduct annual immunization audits, she said.
Worthy of your time: This podcast about measles with Nathan Boonstra, a pediatrician at Blank Children's Hospital in DSM and the chairperson of Iowa Immunizes.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to show Delaware Elementary is in Des Moines (not Ankeny).