CDC data shows rising U.S. kindergarten vaccine exemption rates

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the 2025-26 school year reveals a decline in kindergarten vaccination coverage rates in the United States. National exemption rates have risen to 4.2%, an increase of 0.6% from the previous year, with approximately 155,000 kindergarteners exempt from one or more vaccines.

Measles vaccination coverage (MMR) currently stands at a national average of 92.4%, which is at the lower threshold required for community immunity. State-level coverage varies significantly, ranging from 98.9% in West Virginia to 75.2% in Idaho. This disparity is driven by differing state laws regarding exemptions; West Virginia currently allows only medical exemptions and is facing legal challenges regarding religious opt-outs, while Idaho allows religious and philosophical exemptions via signed statements.

The decline in coverage coincides with a significant measles outbreak in the U.S., with over 2,600 cases reported in 2026. Such outbreaks carry substantial economic burdens, including a 2025 outbreak in New Mexico that cost an estimated $5.4 million to manage.