FORNEY, Texas — Most Kaufman County schools continue to maintain strong measles vaccination rates among kindergarteners, but growing numbers of exemptions across Texas have public health officials warning that the state could be sliding toward dangerous territory.
A recent Texas Tribune analysis found that more Texas kindergarteners are starting school without proof of vaccination or without a formal exemption on file. In some large districts, as many as 44 percent of kindergarten students were classified as “delinquent,” meaning their records were incomplete or missing.
Statewide, the measles vaccination rate has slipped to about 93 percent, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), falling below the 95 percent threshold that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says is required for herd immunity. That benchmark is what prevents highly contagious viruses like measles from regaining a foothold.
Kaufman County’s Kindergarten Vaccine Numbers
Local schools are faring better than much of the state, though the numbers vary by district. According to DSHS data:
Terrell ISD 97.1% vaccinated, 2.9 %exempt.
Kaufman ISD 96.25% vaccinated, 2.8% exempt.
Crandall ISD 95.4% vaccinated , 4.6% exempt.
Forney ISD 93.4% vaccinated, 5.7% exempt.
Kemp ISD, 92.6% vaccinated, 7.4% exempt.
Scurry-Rosser ISD 91.4% vaccinated, 8.6% exempt.
Mabank ISD 90.9% vaccinated, 8.5 percent exempt.
Public health officials say those figures illustrate both progress and risk. Districts such as Terrell, Kaufman, and Crandall remain comfortably above the 95 percent target, while Forney, Mabank, and Scurry-Rosser fall below the safety line, leaving them more susceptible to outbreaks if measles resurfaces locally.
The August Outbreak
Texas health authorities are still recovering from the largest measles outbreak the state has seen in three decades. In an official announcement this August, the DSHS declared the outbreak over after 42 consecutive days with no new infections. The outbreak began in West Texas and ultimately resulted in 762 confirmed cases, 99 hospitalizations, and two deaths in school-aged children.
In its report, DSHS credited rapid testing, vaccination drives, and public communication campaigns for ending the outbreak. DSHS Commissioner Dr. Jennifer A. Shuford stated that the event should serve as “a powerful reminder of how quickly measles can spread and how vital community immunity remains.”
What Makes Measles So Contagious
The CDC describes measles as one of the most infectious viruses on earth. It spreads through coughing or sneezing, and the virus can remain active in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room.
Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A red rash typically appears a few days later, beginning on the face and spreading down the body. According to the CDC’s overview, one in five unvaccinated Americans who contract measles will be hospitalized, and serious complications such as pneumonia or brain inflammation can occur—especially among young children.
“Measles is not a mild illness,” said Dr. Jennifer Routh, an epidemiologist with the CDC’s Division of Viral Diseases, in a CDC statement. “It’s one of the most contagious pathogens we’ve ever studied, and it remains a threat wherever vaccination coverage drops.”
A Slow Decline in Compliance
The Texas Tribune’s investigation found that the drop in compliance started during the pandemic, when many families missed routine medical visits and vaccination appointments. Some parents never updated their records, while others sought “conscientious exemptions” for personal or religious reasons.
The Texas DSHS Immunization Unit has warned that these exemptions have nearly doubled in some parts of the state since 2019. Meanwhile, access to free or low-cost vaccine clinics has declined in several rural regions, making it harder for some families to stay current on the required schedule.
Dr. Anthony Harris, a pediatric infectious disease specialist quoted by the Tribune, stated that even small drops in vaccination coverage can have large consequences. “The difference between 93 and 95 percent,” he noted, “can be the difference between a contained case and a community-wide outbreak.”
Protecting Local Students
The CDC recommends that all children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine—the first between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years old. The vaccine is 97 percent effective at preventing measles infection.
Parents can check vaccine schedules and find local clinics through the CDC’s measles vaccination page and the Texas DSHS Immunization Program.
For Kaufman County families, doctors continue to deliver the same simple message: vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to protect children, classrooms, and the community from a disease that should never make a comeback.
