Hawaii Grapples with Rising Tide of Unvaccinated Students, Sparking Public Health Concerns
Honolulu, HI – A growing number of students in Hawaii are not up-to-date on their vaccinations, raising alarms among health officials who warn of potential outbreaks of preventable diseases. New data from the Hawaii Department of Health reveals a concerning 25% surge in the number of students lacking required immunizations for the 2023-24 school year, compared to the previous year. This equates to nearly 40,000 students, representing 21% of the student population, who are vulnerable to vaccine-preventable illnesses. State Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink expressed serious concern, stating, "We are already seeing increased cases of pertussis and are at risk for a measles outbreak. Immunizations are necessary to protect infants, children, and adults from potentially serious and contagious diseases.” The surge has been attributed to a combination of factors, including claimed exemptions, missing immunization records, and students lacking specific required vaccines.
The most significant contributor to the rise in unvaccinated students is the cohort of seventh-graders who missed required immunizations implemented in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data reveals a stark disparity in vaccination rates across grade levels, with 16% of kindergarteners lacking required vaccinations compared to a staggering 55% of seventh-graders. This discrepancy highlights the lingering impact of pandemic-related disruptions on routine childhood immunization schedules. Dr. Fink emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "An increase in the number of students without up-to-date immunizations is a cause for concern." The data paints a concerning picture across the state, with 282 out of 382 reporting schools having more than 5% of their students unvaccinated. Even more alarming, 36 schools reported that over half of their student body lacked required immunizations.
The Hawaii Department of Education reported that over 36,000 public school students were missing one or more required immunizations for the 2023-24 school year. Preliminary data for the current 2024-25 school year indicates a slight improvement, with approximately 28,300 students missing vaccinations. While this suggests some progress, the numbers remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. The deadline for schools to report immunization data to the Department of Health has just passed, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the current situation. Health officials stress the importance of “herd immunity,” where high vaccination rates protect those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons or exemptions. Dr. Fink cautioned that “Low vaccination rates mean unvaccinated keiki are at increased risk of infection, especially at schools with a high rate of the student population not being up to date.”
Hawaii offers two types of vaccination exemptions for schools: medical and religious. Data indicates a concerning upward trend in religious exemptions, rising from an average rate of 2.1% in the 2019-20 school year to 4.1% in the 2023-24 school year. This trend mirrors national patterns and underscores the growing influence of vaccine hesitancy, often fueled by misinformation. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed this upward trend in Hawaii’s religious exemption rate through independent analysis. While medical exemptions remain relatively low in the state, they have also seen a slight increase over recent years.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated vaccine hesitancy nationwide, contributing to the rise in unvaccinated individuals. Health officials point to the proliferation of misinformation about vaccines as a significant driver of this trend. Access to healthcare, particularly in rural communities, presents another challenge in ensuring timely vaccinations. To combat these challenges, the Hawaii Department of Health is collaborating with educational partners and healthcare providers on several fronts. These efforts include public education campaigns emphasizing the critical role of vaccination in preventing life-threatening diseases, working with pharmacies and physicians to improve access to vaccines, and modernizing the Hawaii Immunization Registry to enhance data collection and analysis.
The Department of Health is committed to addressing the complex issue of vaccine hesitancy and improving immunization rates across the state. They are actively working to provide accurate information to families, improve access to vaccines, and strengthen data collection capabilities. The goal is to protect the health of all Hawaii residents by achieving high vaccination rates and preventing the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. The latest immunization data by school is available on the Department of Health website, providing transparency and enabling communities to understand the vaccination landscape within their local schools. This information empowers parents, educators, and healthcare providers to work together to protect the health of Hawaii’s children.
