School Vaccination Rates Drop and Exemptions Hit Record High, According to Federal Data
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
Vaccination rates for kindergarten children in the United States declined slightly again last year, and the proportion of minors with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data released on Monday. The percentage of children exempt from vaccination requirements increased to 4.2%, up from 3.6% the previous year. This translates to an estimated 155,000 children nationwide during the 2025-2026 school year. It marks the fourth consecutive year that the national average exemption rate has reached a record high, with the vast majority of exemptions attributed to parents opting out of vaccinations for non-medical reasons. Exemptions increased in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Experts point to confusion caused by federal health officials.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
