health
School vaccination rates inch down again to record low as exemptions reach new high
U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates inched down again last year and the share of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data posted Monday.
TL;DR
- Kindergarten vaccination rates for MMR, polio, DTaP, and chickenpox have declined.
- Vaccine exemption rates have reached a record high of 4.2%, up from 3.6% the previous year.
- The majority of exemptions are for nonmedical reasons.
- This trend is linked to perceived chaos and confusion in federal vaccination recommendations.
- The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles year since 1991, with over 250,000 kindergartners susceptible.
- Vaccination rates fell in 41 states and the District of Columbia.
- Idaho has a high exemption rate (17.5%), while Connecticut has a low rate (<0.5%).
- School mandates have historically been key to maintaining high vaccination rates.