Is Your Child Safe? Alarming New Data Reveals Western Mass. Measles Immunity at Just 60%!

Vaccination rates for kindergartners in three Western Massachusetts counties have plunged below the threshold necessary to achieve herd immunity against measles, as reported by the Washington Post last week. According to the data, only 93.8% of kindergarteners in Hampden County have received the two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In Franklin County, the rate stands at 91.5%, while in Berkshire County, it is 91.8%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that a vaccination rate of at least 95% is crucial to protect the broader community through herd immunity.

While regions such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and all of Connecticut boast vaccination rates exceeding 95%, Massachusetts itself is witnessing a decline in vaccination rates not only in these three counties but also in Suffolk County and on Nantucket.

Public health officials are expressing concern about the declining vaccination rates in Western Massachusetts, stating that they will continue efforts to bolster vaccine confidence in the area. Notably, the smaller population of kindergarteners in some parts of the region means that decisions by a limited number of families can significantly influence vaccination rates.

"Our biggest battle now is there’s a lot of misinformation and confusion,"

said Jessica Collins, executive director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. She emphasized the importance of trusted community members, such as pediatricians and school nurses, in disseminating accurate information about vaccinations.

This issue has taken on new urgency in light of recent criticisms from the Healey administration regarding the Trump administration's decision to eliminate several vaccines from the 17 that were traditionally recommended for children. Dr. Robbie Goldstein, the state’s public health commissioner, described this move as "reckless," stating it "abandon[s] decades of rigorous, evidence-based science and replaces clear public health guidance with confusion and doubt."

The measles vaccine remains a recommendation from the CDC, particularly as outbreaks have occurred across the country. There have also been concerning reports of flu season casualties among children, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive vaccination.

In recent months, Massachusetts has taken steps to authorize the Department of Public Health to issue its own vaccine recommendations, collaborating with other states to coordinate efforts. Interestingly, Massachusetts has not reported any cases of measles in 2025 and has only seen one case over the past five years, according to a spokesperson from the Department of Public Health.

However, vaccination exemptions—whether for medical or religious reasons—have historically been more prevalent in Franklin and Berkshire counties than in other areas of the state. The state plans to reach out to schools reporting low vaccination rates to provide information on the importance of vaccines and the potential dangers of measles.

Recent incidents, such as a chickenpox outbreak in Westfield schools that led to contact tracing and two-week quarantines for some students, highlight the vulnerabilities present in these regions. Notably, some schools in the district report the highest rates of vaccine exemptions in the state.

"Chickenpox can be fairly mild for most people ... The real fear is measles. We really hope we don’t ever see that,"

stated Fawne St. Pierre, the district’s health and safety supervisor, during an interview at the time.

As measles remains one of the most infectious diseases, with the CDC reporting that nine out of ten unvaccinated individuals near an infected person will contract the disease, the situation in Western Massachusetts is precarious. Phoebe Walker, director of community health for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, noted the societal lack of familiarity with dealing with such a highly contagious disease.

Beyond the issue of vaccine skepticism, the region faces unique challenges due to its rural nature. Many areas lack pediatric practices, which complicates vaccine distribution. A small practice may not have the cold storage facilities required for vaccines or may lack sufficient patients to justify ordering stock.

The pandemic has also shifted vaccination habits, as many now receive shots at local pharmacies. However, Walker points out that her region has only a few pharmacies, and not all provide vaccinations for children. "So there’s a lot of layers of barriers," she said.

Despite these challenges, Walker expressed that the vaccination rates, while concerning, are still better compared to other parts of the country. "Our rates are still good compared to other parts of the country," she said, "but these are terrifying times."

As of April 3, the CDC has reported 607 cases of measles in the U.S., more than double the total number of cases the country experienced last year. With the stakes this high, public health officials in Massachusetts emphasize the critical need for community engagement and education to address the growing vaccine hesitancy and prevent the resurgence of preventable diseases like measles.