US Kindergarten Vaccination Rates Decline As Exemptions Reach Record High, CDC Data Show

The AP (7/31, Stobbe) reports new CDC data posted Thursday show that US kindergarten vaccination rates “inched down again last year and the share of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high.” Data show that “the fraction of kids exempted from vaccine requirements rose to 4.1%, up from 3.7% the year before. It’s the third record-breaking year in a row for the exemption rate, and the vast majority are parents withholding shots for nonmedical reasons. Meanwhile, 92.5% of 2024-25 kindergartners got their required measles-mumps-rubella shots, down slightly from the previous year.” Reuters (7/31, Levine, Erman) reports an HHS spokesman said the data showed a “majority” of children continue to get routine childhood immunizations, and that vaccination remains the most effective way to protect children from measles and whooping cough. He said, “The decision to vaccinate is a personal one. Parents should consult their healthcare providers on options for their families.” NBC News (7/31, Edwards) also provides coverage.