2026 OCAP State of the Child Report

IMMUNIZATIONS PERCENTAGE OF FULLY VACCINATED CHILDREN ENTERING CHILD CARE AND KINDERGARTEN CLOSELY ALIGNS WITH STATE DESCRIPTION OF INDICATOR This indicator reports the percentage of children who received all recommended doses of required vaccines for attendance at child care facilities and kindergarten entry.

Why is this indicator important?

Findings 1 • The percentage of Riverside County kindergarteners with all required

Kindergarten immunization data show that school-entry vaccinations have remained consistent in recent years. As families resumed routine well‑child visits and schools reinforced entry requirements following the pandemic, statewide and county trends aligned, reflecting a steady return to pre‑pandemic compliance. Public health officials emphasize that maintaining high vaccination coverage protects both individual children and the broader community by reducing the risk of severe illness and preventing outbreaks of diseases such as measles and pertussis. These protections are especially important for infants and medically vulnerable children who cannot yet be fully vaccinated.

immunizations is stable with mild fluctuations between the 2019-2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2023-2024 reporting periods.

• The parallel trends in child care and kindergarten programs highlight the

importance of consistent access to pediatric care and the role early education settings play in supporting community health.

1 County of Riverside. (n.d.). [Immunizations and Infectious Disease Indicator]. Shape Riverside County. https://www.shaperivco.org/indicators/index/view?indicatorId=295&localeId=270

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