Vaccination levels lowest at these Nueces County schools

Though the vast majority of Nueces County schoolchildren receive state-required vaccinations, the percentage of students seeking religious exemptions to immunization requirements has been inching upward since 2020.

Vaccines for diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis; polio; measles, mumps and rubella; hepatitis B; varicella; meningococcal disease; and hepatitis A are required for Texas private and public school students, depending on school level. Medical exemptions are allowed if a health care provider determines it is not safe for a child to get a certain vaccine.

But the state allows public school students exemptions for "reasons of conscience," including religious belief. Private schools do not have to admit students who seek non-medical exemptions.

In Nueces County, vaccination rates vary by school. The Diocese of Corpus Christi's Catholic schools have some of the highest vaccination rates in the community due to admission requirements.

In the Corpus Christi Independent School District, between 96% and 98% of kindergartners were vaccinated during the 2025-26 school year, with slight variations based on vaccination type.

In Corpus Christi ISD, vaccination rates for seventh graders were similar to the kindergarten data.

Other public school districts have similarly high levels of vaccination coverage, though levels vary at private and charter schools.

Across Nueces County, conscientious exemption rates have shifted slightly up from less than 1% in 2020-21 to about 2% in 2025-26.

In public schools, where most Nueces County children are educated, conscientious exemption rates are low. But rates have risen to close to 5% in the London Independent School District, 4% in the Flour Bluff Independent School District and 6% in the Port Aransas Independent School District.

According to state data, the conscientious exemption rate was highest in Nueces County at Annapolis Christian Academy and Seashore Charter Schools.

Data for some Corpus Christi charter schools, including the School of Science and Technology campuses, is not included because it is not grouped in Nueces County in state datasets.

Where to get immunizations for school

Most insurance plans cover vaccinations. The Vaccines for Children program also provides free vaccines for Medicaid-eligible, uninsured and underinsured children.

To find a participating provider, the state health department has a searchable map.

The Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District's immunization clinic welcomes walk-ins and appointments. It is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., with extended hours the first Monday of every month to 6 p.m.

Olivia Garrett reports on education and community news in South Texas. Contact her at olivia.garrett@caller.com.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Vaccination levels lowest at these Nueces County schools

Reporting by Olivia Garrett, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times

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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 4:45 AM.