The 2025-2026 kindergarten vaccination picture shows a decline in overall vaccination rates alongside a record high 4.2% exemption rate, totaling an estimated 155,000 children nationally.

DTaP/DT/DT vaccination rates dipped slightly to 92%, while hepatitis B coverage remained largely steady, and the MMR rate among kindergartners slipped to 92.4%, below the pre-pandemic herd immunity target of 95%.

Experts warn the rise in exemptions likely has multiple causes, with some pointing to parental opposition and others to logistical barriers and shifting vaccination guidance.

Public health officials note that measles susceptibility and outbreaks cluster in communities with higher concentrations of unvaccinated children, contributing to uneven waves across the country.

The CDC reiterated its recommendation that parents discuss vaccination options with doctors, while data were posted online without a full analytical report.

Idaho records the highest exemption rate at 17.5%, with Utah, Oregon, Arizona, and Nevada also showing high levels in the latest data.

Overall, higher exemptions paired with lower vaccination rates raise questions about herd immunity and the potential risk of disease spread.

Most exemptions are non-medical, reflecting opt-outs for personal or religious beliefs rather than medical reasons.

Exemption increases occurred in 41 states and Washington, D.C., driven primarily by non-medical exemptions, a trend linked to the broader national shift since the Covid era.

Measles cases have reached a 35-year high in 2026, with about 2,566 cases and ongoing outbreaks in multiple states, threatening progress toward measles elimination.

As schools reopen, public health officials stress the continued importance of vaccination to curb measles risk, especially where unvaccinated clusters persist.

Two doses of MMR provide about 97% protection for life, and the CDC again urges families to discuss vaccination options with healthcare providers.