HILO — The state Department of Health released on Friday the rates of immunization exemptions at Hawaii schools for the 2018-19 academic year.
Schools are required to report these numbers to the DOH each year.
According to the DOH, students are required to receive DTaP (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis), polio, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), hepatitis B, Hib and Varicella (chickenpox) immunizations for school attendance. Immunizations must meet minimum age and interval requirements between vaccine doses.
Children, however, can be exempt from immunization requirements for medical or religious reasons if the appropriate documentation is given to the school.
Schools with some of the higher exemption rates on Hawaii Island include:
Malamalama Waldorf School/Kinderhale, 46.3 percent religious exemption (95 enrollment); Kona Pacific Public Charter School, 37.4 percent religious exemption (222); Innovations Public Charter School, 16.9 percent religious exemption (237); Connections New Century Public Charter School, 14 percent religious exemption (349); Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School, 13.3 percent religious exemption (339); Holualoa Elementary School, 10.8 percent religious exemption (536); and Haaheo Elementary School, 9.2 percent religious exemption (196).
“I think certainly the department is concerned about school vaccine exemptions that seem to be increasing, because vaccine hesitancy is a major challenge to preventing potential outbreaks,” DOH spokeswoman Janice Okubo said.
The full list can be found online at bit.ly/vaxexemption.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.