According to the Washington State Department of Health, several area schools have vaccine exemption rates exceeding 10 percent.

Most of those exempt cite personal reasons for abstaining from immunizations.

The most recent and complete data released by the Washington State Department of Health is for the 2011-12 school year.

As of the 2011-12 school year, 16.90 percent of children (95) were exempt at South Whidbey Elementary; 92 of these cited personal reasons, three cited medical. Langley Middle School had a 14.40 percent exemption rate with 56 exempt students; 52 cited personal reasons and four cited medical reasons. At South Whidbey High School, 13.80 percent (73 students) were exempt; 70 cited personal reasons and three cited religious reasons. Island Christian Academy had the highest exemption rate of South Whidbey schools at 22.70 percent (20 students); all cited personal reasons for abstaining from vaccines.

More recent data for the 2013-14 school year was released based only upon counties. In Island County, 87.5 percent of all students were fully vaccinated as of the 2013-14 school year. Of the 8.4 percent exempt, 7.51 cited personal reasons, .91 percent abstained for medical reasons, and .25 cited religious reasons