The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Monday that 4.2% of U.S. kindergarteners—approximately 155,000 children—received vaccine exemptions during the 2025-26 school year, the highest rate on record. This marks a 0.6 percentage point increase from the prior year, with 41 states and Washington, D.C., reporting rises in exemptions. Medical exemptions remained stable at 0.2%.
The CDC also found that vaccination coverage for key childhood vaccines declined slightly, with 92% of kindergarteners receiving the DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) and 92.4% receiving the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella). These rates fall short of the 95% threshold recommended by public health experts to prevent outbreaks. Hepatitis B vaccination rates held steady at 94%.
Record Exemptions Drive Decline in Vaccination Rates
The CDC’s latest estimates, released August 17, 2026, confirm a fourth consecutive year of rising exemptions, driven primarily by non-medical reasons such as personal or religious beliefs. Medical exemptions remained unchanged at 0.2%, according to the agency.
The MMR vaccine rate of 92.4% represents a slight decline from previous years, while DTaP coverage dropped to 92%. Polio vaccination rates also fell to 92.4%, and varicella (chickenpox) coverage declined by 0.6 percentage points to 93.4%. The only vaccine to maintain its coverage was hepatitis B at 94%, a rate that has remained consistent in recent years.
Public health officials warn that these declines undermine herd immunity, increasing the risk of preventable disease outbreaks. As of August 2026, the U.S. has recorded 2,566 measles cases—the highest number in 35 years—with ongoing outbreaks in states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah.
Policy Shifts and Political Influence
The rise in exemptions coincides with federal policy changes that critics argue have undermined public confidence in vaccines. Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing agencies to reduce the number of recommended childhood vaccines, a move that drew sharp criticism from pediatricians and public health advocates.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement before his appointment, has overseen revisions to federal vaccination guidance in recent months. These changes include proposals to space out childhood vaccines across multiple visits, a recommendation not supported by medical research, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. James Campbell, a pediatrician at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, attributed the decline in vaccination rates to “chaos and confusion” in federal vaccine recommendations. Dr. David Margolius, director of the Cleveland Department of Public Health, described the lack of clear national messaging as “disappointing but not surprising.”
State-Level Variations and Public Health Responses
Vaccine exemption rates varied significantly by state, with Ohio reporting a 5.7% exemption rate—up from 4.7% the prior year. Forty-one states and Washington, D.C., saw increases in exemptions, while six states reported declines or no change.
Public health departments in several states have sounded alarms over the trend. In Ohio, where measles cases have surged, health officials have urged parents to consult pediatricians and emphasized the risks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The CDC reiterated its stance that vaccination rates remain "high" but acknowledged the need for continued monitoring and outreach.
The CDC’s annual report, based on data collected from states in late 2025 and early 2026, provides the most comprehensive snapshot of U.S. childhood vaccination trends. While hepatitis B vaccination has remained stable at 94%, other vaccines have seen gradual declines, raising concerns about long-term immunity gaps.
Key Takeaways
- Exemptions for non-medical reasons reached a record 4.2%, up from 3.6% in 2024-25.
- Vaccination rates for MMR, DTaP, polio, and varicella fell slightly, remaining below the 95% herd immunity threshold.
- Federal policy changes, including Trump’s executive order and Kennedy’s revisions, have sparked debate over vaccine mandates.
- State-level data shows wide variation, with some regions experiencing sharper declines in coverage.