U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates have declined for the fourth consecutive year, with exemptions reaching a record high for the 2025-26 school year. The decrease in vaccination rates and rise in exemptions are primarily attributed to parents withholding shots for nonmedical reasons. Federal data released Monday shows a continuing trend of falling vaccination rates, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has only published the data online, not in a full report.
The percentage of kindergartners exempted from the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine rose sharply, according to the data. The trend has been ongoing, with each of the past four years setting a new record for exemption rates.
While the sources consistently report the decline in vaccination rates and the increase in exemptions, they do not offer detailed analysis of the reasons behind this trend beyond parental choice. The sources also do not specify the overall percentage of kindergartners vaccinated, only noting the increase in exemptions. The lack of a comprehensive report from the CDC limits further understanding of the scope and potential consequences of these changes.
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