Kindergarten vaccine exemptions in the U.S. have reached a historic 4.2%, raising concerns among health officials over declining immunisation coverage amidst political debates and rising disease risks.
U.S. kindergarten vaccine exemptions have climbed to a record 4.2%, according to data released by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, covering an estimated 155,000 children in the 2025-2026 school year. That marks another step down in school immunisation coverage at a time when public health officials are warning that even small declines can weaken community protection against diseases such as measles.
The Associated Press reported that exemption rates rose in 41 states and the District of Columbia, with most of the increase coming from non-medical waivers. Coverage also slipped for several routine childhood vaccines, including MMR, polio, DTaP and chickenpox, while hepatitis B held steady. Axios said national coverage for MMR, polio and DTaP all fell to roughly 92%, below the 95% level often cited as necessary for measles herd immunity.
The trend comes amid renewed political pressure on vaccination policy. Reuters-style reporting from AP and CBS News linked the decline to confusion surrounding federal guidance under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time vaccine critic, as well as President Donald Trump’s calls for alternative vaccine schedules. Public health experts say that instability in messaging can erode confidence in vaccines that have long been required for school entry.
State data show the impact is uneven but widespread. Axios reported that Tennessee’s exemption rate rose to 4.8%, while Michigan’s climbed to 7.7%, even as overall kindergarten enrolment fell in Tennessee. With measles cases rising again and public health agencies urging parents to speak with clinicians before the school year begins, the latest figures suggest that the usual back-to-school vaccination push is becoming more urgent, not less.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
