School vaccination rates inch down again to record low

“U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates slipped again in the 2025‑26 school year, with the share of children holding exemptions rising to a historic 4.2%—about 155,000 kids—marking the fourth consecutive year of record‑high exemptions. The decline is driven largely by non‑medical exemptions amid political controversy, including statements from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former President Donald Trump advocating changes to vaccine schedules. The CDC reported that 92.4% of kindergartners received the measles‑mumps‑rubella (MMR) vaccine, down from 93.0% the prior year and well below the pre‑COVID 95% herd‑immunity threshold. Similar drops were noted for polio and DTaP vaccines, while hepatitis B rates remained steady. Experts warn that more than a quarter‑million children are now vulnerable to measles, with regional clusters increasing the risk of outbreaks as schools reopen. Expert Analysis: The erosion of herd immunity heightens the likelihood of costly measles outbreaks, which could strain local health systems and disrupt school attendance. Continued politicization of vaccine policy may further depress uptake, prompting insurers and employers to reassess risk‑management strategies for families with unvaccinated children.”