During National Immunization Awareness Month in August, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is urging families to ensure their children are up to date on vaccinations as the new school year approaches. The department emphasizes that staying current with recommended vaccines helps prevent serious illnesses, reduces hospitalizations, saves lives, and keeps students in school.
California’s immunization rates for kindergarten students remain above the national average. However, CDPH stresses the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to protect children and communities from diseases that can be prevented by vaccines.
Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, stated: “When our youngest Californians are healthy and able to participate in learning and doing the things they love, the future of California is brighter. As a parent and a pediatrician, I am grateful for and confident in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, which have transformed the leading causes of childhood deaths away from infectious diseases. CDPH remains committed to ensuring all California families have access to safe and effective vaccines, and the information they need to understand that vaccine recommendations are based on credible, transparent, and science-based evidence.”
The department points out that measles cases across the United States have reached their highest level since 2000 as of July 2025. Most cases occurred among unvaccinated individuals; over one-tenth required hospitalization—some needing intensive care—and three people have died this year from measles.
In California specifically, more than 95% of kindergarteners continue to receive coverage for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The state has maintained this rate necessary to prevent community outbreaks for nearly ten years but warns continued vigilance is needed.
State law requires age-specific immunizations for students attending public or private schools as well as licensed childcare centers. These institutions must enforce vaccination requirements, keep immunization records for all enrolled children, and report their status to CDPH.
Families seeking more information about immunization laws or required student vaccinations can visit CDPH’s Shots for School (https://www.shotsforschool.org/) or Don’t Wait – Vaccinate! (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/dontwait-vaccinate.aspx) webpages.
CDPH also recommends its Vaccine Facts webpage (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/Vaccine-Facts.aspx) as a resource for reliable vaccine information. Most health plans cover recommended vaccinations at no cost; uninsured children may qualify for free vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program.
“When our youngest Californians are healthy and able to participate in learning and doing the things they love, the future of California is brighter,” said Dr. Erica Pan. “As a parent and a pediatrician, I am grateful for and confident in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines…CDPH remains committed to ensuring all California families have access to safe and effective vaccines…”
