Hawaii has confirmed its first case of measles in years, prompting a significant response from the state Education and Health departments to ramp up vaccination efforts.
With thousands of students remaining noncompliant with school immunization requirements, officials are focusing their attention on ensuring that all students are adequately protected against communicable diseases like measles.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education (DOE) emphasized, “The health and safety of our students and staff are essential to maintaining supportive learning environments. Hawaii law requires that all students meet immunization requirements to attend school, including protection against communicable diseases like measles. These requirements are in place to keep our school communities safe and healthy.”
The DOE is actively working with families to help ensure that students comply with these immunization requirements, while also extending support to those who may need more time to meet them.
In the event of a public health concern, the DOE is prepared to act in conjunction with the state Department of Health (DOH) to safeguard students and staff and minimize disruption to the learning environment.
During the 2023-2024 school year, among 185,579 public and private school students, 4.07% had religious exemptions, 0.16% had medical exemptions, 2.76% had no immunization records, and 14.33% were missing required vaccines.
This means that a total of 21.33% of students had incomplete immunization records. Additionally, 9.68% of students were reported as missing physical exams.
A recent letter sent to parents by the DOH warned that students without proof of MMR vaccination may be excluded from in-person learning during an outbreak.
The letter, sent earlier this month, encouraged families to vaccinate their children, highlighting that certain Hawaii schools have low vaccination rates and are therefore at an increased risk of measles and other disease outbreaks.
New data from the DOH revealed that some schools across Hawaii exhibit alarming rates of vaccine noncompliance.
Malamalama Waldorf School on Hawaii Island reported the highest percentage of religious exemptions statewide at 62.89%, followed closely by Haleakala Waldorf School on Maui at 58.46% and Kohala Adventist School at 52.94%.
Several public charter and private schools, such as Kona Pacific charter school, reported a religious exemption rate of 35.48%, while Alakai o Kauai charter school had a rate of 36.23%.
Schools with the most students lacking up-to-date immunizations include St. Catherine School on Kauai, which reported 100% of its students as noncompliant, followed by Life Legacy Academy in Honolulu at 97.73% and Waianae Intermediate School at 69.48%.
Other high-risk campuses included Konawaena Middle School at 65.32%, HI Academy of Arts & Science charter school at 64.18%, and Kapaa Middle School at 63.42%.
These statistics highlight significant pockets of vulnerability that could accelerate the spread of communicable diseases like measles if an outbreak occurs.
The DOH confirmed a measles case on Monday night in an unvaccinated child under 5 years old on Oahu and has begun investigating potential exposures related to the case.
The child developed symptoms, including fever, runny nose, and cough, following recent international travel with family, and later sought care after a rash appeared.
Fortunately, the child is recovering at home while a symptomatic household member is being evaluated for possible infection.
In response to this situation, Governor Josh Green signed emergency rules on Tuesday, which allow students with religious exemptions to receive the MMR vaccine while still maintaining their exemption status for other vaccines.
These rules will remain in effect for 120 days and aim to bolster measles protection without forcing families to relinquish their broader exemption rights.
The urgency for these measures is underscored by new data showing persistent immunization gaps.
Preliminary numbers for the 2024-2025 school year indicate that 28,300 students are still noncompliant with immunization requirements, while the statewide MMR vaccination rate is at 89.8%, falling below the 95% threshold necessary for herd immunity.
Certain schools, particularly those on Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island, have reported vaccination rates as low as 42%.
State Representative Trisha La Chica (D, Waipio-Mililani) indicated that nearly 10% of schools statewide have over half of their students not up to date with required immunizations.
In collaboration with the DOH, the DOE is working to enforce compliance with immunization laws and the recent emergency guidelines.
Hawaii law mandates that students meet immunization, physical exam, and tuberculosis clearance requirements unless they hold a medical or religious exemption.
While provisional entry is allowed with proof of a future appointment, this may be suspended during a public health emergency.
Officials have cautioned that students without the required vaccines may be excluded from school during outbreaks.
Both agencies pointed out that rising vaccine hesitancy, exacerbated by misinformation and pandemic-related disruptions to healthcare, poses a serious threat to public health and the continuity of learning.
Dr. Nadine Tenn Salle, clinical chair of pediatrics at The Queen’s Health Systems, stated, “Hospitals and clinics across Hawai‘i are on high alert. We’re ready to identify and isolate cases, but our best defense is prevention. That means vaccination — not just for your child, but to protect newborns, the immuno-compromised, and others who cannot be vaccinated. This is a community effort, and the medical community is here to help every step of the way.”
The DOH is urging families to check their immunization records and schedule any necessary vaccines, which are available at pediatricians’ offices, clinics, and pharmacies.
Governor Green remarked, “There’s no need to panic — but there is a need to act. Measles isn’t just a rash and a fever — it’s one of the most contagious viruses known. We’ve already seen what happens when vaccination rates drop: more cases, more outbreaks, more lives at risk. The best thing you can do to protect your family, your community, and our keiki is to get vaccinated. It’s simple, it’s safe, and it saves lives.”
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