Vaccination coverage among kindergartners showed minimal changes during the most recent school year, with slight declines recorded for several key vaccines. Coverage for polio and MMR vaccines each dropped marginally, falling from 92.5% to 92.4% of kindergarteners, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, more significant trends emerged in the area of vaccine exemptions. The proportion of kindergarteners receiving exemptions from at least one vaccine shot increased substantially over the period analyzed. Approximately 4.2% of kindergartners had an exemption for at least one vaccine during the 2025-2026 school year, representing an increase from 3.6% in the prior year.
Geographic variation in exemption rates was notable across the country. In nearly half of all states, exemption rates surpassed the 5% threshold. This geographic disparity highlights differing approaches to vaccine requirements and exemption policies across different jurisdictions.
The upward trajectory in exemptions has continued over a longer timeframe. Over the preceding five-year period, exemptions have climbed incrementally year over year, reflecting changing patterns in parental decisions regarding vaccine requirements for school enrollment. The data suggests an ongoing shift in vaccination exemption practices among families with school-age children, though the absolute impact on overall vaccination coverage rates remains modest at present.
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