Lower vaccination rates cited as Florida ranks fifth nationwide for measles cases

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks Florida fifth in the country for the number of measles cases.

The highly contagious disease is spread through the air and can lead to serious health issues.

As of Thursday, the CDC recorded 141 cases in the state.

This has been the highest number of cases the CDC has seen since 1992, with 2,371 confirmed measles cases.

“It’s very concerning. Nationwide this is the most number of measles cases that we’ve seen in a very long time,” said Dr. Joseph Klawitter, chief medical officer/doctor of pediatrics at Community Health Northwest Florida. “There was actually a case in Santa Rosa County recently and it’s going to continue to spread unless we can boost our vaccination rates closer to that 95% herd immunity.”

Florida also had a lower vaccination rate for kindergartners than the average for the U.S., at 88.8% for the 2024-25 school year.

The U.S. average was at 92.5 percent.

“Vaccination rates have dropped,” Dr. Klawitter said. “Florida has seen an increased number of cases because our herd immunity, or the number of kids actually vaccinated to protect those that cannot get vaccines, has decreased. The single most effective way to avoid getting measles is through vaccination. It has been proven to be very safe and very effective.”

With the school year right around the corner, Dr. Klawitter says they’ve seen an increase in back to school physicals. But there is some hesitancy when it comes to vaccines.

“Even though we might be seeing more children, our vaccination rates aren’t necessarily increasing,” he said.

WEAR News reached out to the local school districts to get more information on measles and their vaccination rates.

Santa Rosa County Schools said any student entering a Florida school must have a Florida certificate of immunization, or a religious or medical exemption issued by the health department.

“One in five children may be hospitalized if they are not vaccinated against measles,” Dr. Klawitter said. “… As it’s making its resurgence, it’s very important to be vigilant, to protect. And again, vaccination is the single best protection against contracting measles.”

The Florida Department of Health says currently out of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, five cases are reported in Escambia County.