national
CDC Data Shows Kindergarten Vaccine Exemptions Reach Record High for 2025-2026 School Year
Just the facts
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the national vaccine exemption rate among kindergartners rose to 4.2 percent during the 2025-2026 school year, representing approximately 155,000 children. Exemption rates increased across 41 states and Washington, D.C., driven primarily by nonmedical exemptions requested by parents. Coverage for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine dropped to 92.4 percent, below the 95 percent threshold established by public health organizations to prevent community transmission. Declines were also recorded in vaccination rates for polio, chickenpox, and the combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine. Exemption rates varied significantly by state, ranging from under 0.5 percent in Connecticut to 17.5 percent in Idaho.
Why this is news
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released national data on August 17, 2026, showing a decline in kindergarten vaccination coverage and a record high in exemption rates. The release comes as public health officials urge parents to vaccinate children ahead of the upcoming school year.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.