NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Three of the Western Massachusetts counties, including the Berkshires, have fallen below the 95 percent vaccination level for measles, mumps, and rubella to ensure herd immunity. 

 

The Washington Post's Vaccination Report Card for the nation found Massachusetts as a whole was at 97 percent; the Berkshires has dipped to 91.8 percent in the years following the pandemic. 

 

Hampden County is at 93.8 percent and Franklin at 91.5 percent; Southern Vermont is even lower with Bennington County at 90 percent and Windham at 91. The two other low counties were Suffolk at 94.1 and Nantucket at 91 percent. 

 

The MMR vaccinations are given at about a year old and again around age 5. The percentages are based on reported vaccination levels by elementary schools, a majority of which did not have that information available. 

 

Brayton Elementary in North Adams and Craneville in Dalton reported the highest levels at 99 percent and 98 percent, respectively. Hoosac Valley Elementary in Adams, Lee Elementary and Muddy Brook Elementary in Great Barrington were all at 97 percent.

 

Pittsfield schools had the lowest reported data: Morningside Community was 94 percent, Stearns 88, Egremont 84 and Williams 80 percent. 

 

The two closest Vermont elementary schools — Pownal and Stamford — were also below herd immunity levels at 90 percent each.