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Kindergarten vaccine exemptions jump to another record high - The Washington Post
Entertainment and CultureBy Lena H. Sun8/17/20261 min read
Coverage among kindergartners for major vaccines fell in more than half the states, continuing a years-long trend, as measles cases climb.
✨ Key Highlights
- The percentage of U.S. kindergartners with exemptions from school vaccine requirements reached another record high for the 2025-2026 school year, according to federal data posted Monday.
- Vaccine coverage among kindergartners for major vaccines declined in more than half of U.S. states, continuing a trend that has persisted for several years.
- The drop in vaccination rates comes as measles cases climb across the country, raising public health concerns about outbreaks.
- The falling coverage reflects a sustained pattern rather than a one-time dip, signaling an ongoing challenge for maintaining immunization levels among young children.
The share of U.S. kindergartners with exemptions from school vaccine requirements for the 2025-2026 school year rose to another record high, according to federal data posted Monday. The sharp increas