schools
Measles vaccination rate for Texas kindergarteners increased slightly after 2025 outbreak
By Texas Tribune, By Terri Langford, Data Analysis And Graphics By Dan Keemahill at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 2, 2026
· 6 min read
While more than 92% of Texas kindergarteners and 7th graders were fully vaccinated in the 2025-26 school year for each vaccine required to attend school, the coverage rates remained lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic, state data released Wednesday shows. Of note in the latest report released...
Key takeaway Of note in the latest report released by the Texas Department of State Health Services, the statewide measles coverage rate of kindergarteners increased from 93.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The slight increase in measles vaccination rates among Texas kindergarteners is a welcome development, particularly in the wake of the 2025 West Texas measles outbreak. However, the concurrent rise in conscientious exemptions is a concerning trend that warrants close attention from San Antonio parents, educators, and health officials. With nearly 3% of K-12 students in the survey having a conscientious exemption for at least one vaccine, the potential for outbreaks in local schools remains a pressing concern. San Antonio's own vaccination rates and exemption trends will be crucial to monitor, given the city's size and diversity. As trust in science continues to erode, local health organizations and schools must redouble their efforts to educate parents about the importance of vaccination and the risks associated with exemptions. The Texas School Nurses Organization's concerns about the long-term consequences of declining trust in science should resonate with San Antonio's community leaders, who must work to promote public health and prevent future outbreaks.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? While more than 92% of Texas kindergarteners and 7th graders were fully vaccinated in the 2025-26 school year for each vaccine required to attend school, the coverage rates remained lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic, state data released Wednesday shows. Of note in the latest report released...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, By Terri Langford, Data Analysis And Graphics By Dan Keemahill at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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