Kindergarten vaccine exemptions rose in 2025-2026: CDC
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Newsletters Axios Local Show Axios Pro Axios Live The Axios Show Login Axios All topics Axios Search 2 hours ago - Health Kindergarten vaccine exemptions rose in 2025-2026: CDC Adriel Bettelheim , Tina Reed email (opens in new window) sms (opens in new window) facebook (opens in new window) twitter (opens in new window) linkedin (opens in new window) bluesky (opens in new window) Add Axios on Google Add Axios as your preferred source to
Vaccination rates among American kindergartners decreased during the 2025-2026 school year for all tracked vaccines , the Centers for Disease Control reported on Monday.
Why it matters: The dropoff coincided with continued efforts by the Trump administration to make controversial vaccine policy changes and with measles cases hitting levels not seen in more than three decades.
By the numbers: Coverage with the MMR, DTaP, polio and varicella vaccine decreased in more than half of states, ranging from 92% for diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine to 92.4% for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and polio vaccines.
MMR vaccine coverage among kindergartners by state ranged from 98.9% in West Virginia to 75.2% in Idaho.
What they're saying: CDC, in a statement, said the data showed a 0.1% decline in vaccination coverage among children entering kindergarten.
Yes, but: It only takes a small drop in the vaccination rate to make herd immunity against measles plummet.
Between the lines: Polling shows childhood vaccines remain popular, but administration efforts to upend longstanding vaccine policies could further erode trust in vaccines and public health, medical experts say.
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