AUSTIN -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says immunization rates for Texas children jumped 19 percent over the past five years to hit a record high in 2007.

The Texas rate was 77.4 percent last year, up from 65 percent in 2002, according to a national survey released Thursday.

Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, credits Texas' progress to the aggressive and sustained efforts of state and local partners working with families.

He says it will take continued effort to increase the numbers even more.

The 2007 Texas rate is a 3.5 percent increase over 2006 numbers, ranking Texas at No. 22 in the country, the highest ranking the state has ever reached.