Student vaccine rate hits 97%

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More than 97 percent of the District's almost 60,000 public school students now have up-to-date vaccinations — a significant improvement since the early 1990s, when less than half of the students were vaccinated, D.C. Department of Health officials say.

"This is incredible for a big city," said Dr. Gregg Pane, Health Department director. "I believe we're the best big city in America" for public school immunization rates.

Every school has at least 89 percent compliance, he said.

The department intends to stay vigilant, using a registry database to identify students who are not up to date on their vaccinations and teaming with doctors, school nurses and D.C. Public Schools to work toward full compliance, Dr. Pane said.

"We will push and push to encourage kids who are out of compliance to become compliant," said schools spokeswoman Audrey Williams.

Up-to-date immunizations are required for school registration. Classes begin Aug. 27.

"Technically, it's no shots, no school," Ms. Williams said. "We encourage parents to do it now, not wait until the first day of school."

The District has no new immunization requirements this year.

Maryland has added HBV (hepatitis B) and varicella (chicken pox) to the list of required vaccines. Students must have up-to-date immunization records before registering for school. Classes begin Aug. 20 in Prince George's County and Aug. 27 in Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties.

Last year, about 1 percent of Prince George's County's 134,000 public school students were not up to date on their immunizations, said schools spokesman John White.