See states’ kindergarten vaccination rates—from highest to lowest
Even as cases of diseases such as measles rise, childhood vaccinations are declining, thanks to changes in public health policies and antivaccine sentiment, experts say
As back-to-school season arrives, U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates have hit record lows. According to experts, declining childhood vaccinations are linked to policy changes and growing antivaccine sentiment. In the 2025-2026 school year, more kindergartners than ever before had exemptions from at least one vaccine. Diseases these vaccines protect against, such as measles, are making a comeback.
In the United States, measles was officially eliminated in 2000 with the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, cases have risen this year, with over 2,500 recorded, the highest since the disease was eradicated in the U.S. 25 years ago.
The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows kindergarten MMR vaccination rates falling from about 95 percent to 92.4 percent over the past decade. Similar declines have been observed for vaccines against polio, hepatitis B, and diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis. With measles being the most contagious disease known to humans, even a small decrease in vaccination rates can lead to widespread outbreaks.
In most states, specific childhood vaccinations, including MMR, are mandatory for attending public school. However, exemptions exist for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons.
While many states have experienced declines in vaccination rates, some have remained stable or even increased. For instance, Connecticut's kindergarten MMR rates rose from 96.7 percent to 98.6 percent, and Maine's increased from 94.9 percent to 98 percent over the past decade. Conversely, Idaho's rates dropped by 15 percentage points in the same period. States with stricter exemption policies generally have higher vaccination rates, according to experts.
However, even in states with the highest vaccination rates, pockets of unvaccinated individuals can lead to outbreaks. Virginia, for example, has an overall MMR vaccination rate above the national average but has reported 177 measles cases this year. Factors contributing to these trends include the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a rise in vaccine skepticism, and misinformation spread by high-profile figures, including former President Donald Trump's executive order that could confuse and discourage parents from vaccinating their children.
Experts emphasize the importance of speaking with healthcare providers about necessary vaccinations and encourage parents to promote herd immunity to protect both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Written by urgent.news from Scientific American's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
