US Kindergarten Vaccine Rates Continue Downward Trend
New data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a decline in vaccination rates among kindergartners, with 4.2% of students exempt from one or more vaccines during the 2025-26 school year.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new data showing a decline in vaccination rates among kindergartners. According to the data, 4.2% of kindergartners were exempt from one or more vaccines during the 2025-26 school year, up from 3.6% in the previous year.
This trend is concerning for health organizations, which attribute the decline in vaccination rates to misinformation about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) has stated that conflicting vaccine recommendations can create confusion for families, complicate school health practice, and undermine confidence in vaccines that have protected generations of children.
The vaccination rate among kindergartners in the US has declined in recent years, with 155,000 students having exemptions from one or more vaccines during the 2025-26 school year. Vaccine exemption rates increased in 41 states and the District of Columbia, with 24 states reporting exemptions exceeding 5%.
The CDC data also reveals that vaccination coverage among kindergartners in the US fell for all reported vaccines from the year before, ranging from 92% for the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccine to 92.4% for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and polio vaccine.
The decline in vaccination rates is particularly concerning given the recent surge in measles cases. According to the CDC, the number of reported measles cases for people of all ages reached a 35-year high nationally by July 30 this year.
The Trump administration has attempted to reform childhood vaccine standards by making recommendations for the number and sequencing of vaccines. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 10 calling for changes to ensure that Americans are receiving the best scientifically supported medical advice in the world, as well as to protect religious liberty and parental authority.
The executive order recommends reducing the number of immunizations to provide protection against 11 diseases, rather than the 18 diseases recommended by the CDC in 2024. It also suggests separating the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine into three single-disease shots and administering all vaccines during separate medical visits.
However, the NASN has expressed deep concern over the executive order, stating that decisions affecting the health of children and school communities must be guided by transparent, rigorous scientific review and the best available evidence.
The NASN has urged state leaders to identify professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association, as reputable and trustworthy sources for scientifically backed information. School nurses see the consequences of vaccine-preventable illness in real time, and they need clear, credible guidance to help families make informed decisions and keep students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
### Vaccine Exemption Rates by State
| State | Exemption Rate | | --- | --- | | 41 states and the District of Columbia | Increased exemption rates | | 24 states | Exceeded 5% exemption rate |
### Vaccination Coverage Among Kindergartners
| Vaccine | Coverage Rate (2025-26) | Coverage Rate (2024-25) | | --- | --- | --- | | Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis | 92% | 93% | | Measles, mumps, and rubella | 92.4% | 93.1% | | Polio | 92.4% | 93.1% |
The CDC and other health organizations encourage parents to discuss childhood vaccination options with their doctors.
