Kindergarten vaccination rates in Hawaii continue to lag behind the national average, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While there was a slight improvement over the year, the rates of routine childhood vaccinations for measles, mumps, whooping cough and chickenpox, among others, remain below the national average and failed to meet most rates required to reach so-called herd immunity.

“Hawaii being below herd immunity for most of our childhood illnesses is a concern,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. “I’m encouraged that the numbers are going up. That’s good; they’re going in the right direction. But we’re not seeing as much gain toward that herd immunity level as we would like to see in order to provide true protection to o

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