Iowa’s measles vaccination rates continue to fall below recommended levels, raising concerns about potential outbreaks, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For the 2024-2025 school year, 92.9 percent of K-12 students have received the required two doses of the measles vaccine, a decline from 93.6 percent last year and 95.6 percent in 2020-2021. Among kindergarten students, 88.8 percent are fully vaccinated, down from 89.1 percent last year and 93.4 percent four years ago. Health officials warn measles is highly contagious, and at least 95 percent vaccine coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks. In 2024, 84.4 percent of two-year-olds received their first measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, an increase from 82.7 percent in 2023 but still below the 95 percent target. Health officials recommend the MMR vaccine for all children starting at 12 months, infants six months and older traveling abroad, and children ages four to six needing a second dose. Certain adults, including college students, healthcare workers, and international travelers, may also need vaccination. Vaccination rates in Iowa and nationwide have plummeted following immunization mandates and questionable efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. Measles cases are quite rare in Iowa, as there has been only a single documented case in Iowa since 2011, according to the Mercy College of Health Sciences.
