US childhood vaccination rates fall again as exemptions set another record

Scripps News ^ | 7:29 AM, Aug 01, 2025 | AP via Scripps News Group

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Just over 92% of 2024-25 kindergartners got their required measles-mumps-rubella shots, down slightly from the previous year.

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 Thursday.

The fraction of kids exempted from vaccine requirements rose to 4.1%, up from 3.7% the year before. It's the third record-breaking year in a row for the exemption rate, and the vast majority are parents withholding shots for nonmedical reasons.

Meanwhile, 92.5% of 2024-25 kindergartners got their required measles-mumps-rubella shots, down slightly from the previous year. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the vaccination rate was 95% — the level that makes it unlikely that a single infection will spark a disease cluster or outbreak.

The vaccination numbers were posted as the U.S. experiences its worst year for measles spread in more than three decades, with more than 1,300 cases so far.

“The concern, of course, is that with a further dip in the (vaccination) coverage, we’re going to see even more measles in the coming months,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary, of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

It's possible that this year's outbreaks may spur more parents to get their children vaccinated before they go to school, said O'Leary, a University of Colorado pediatric infectious diseases specialist.

But Dr. Philip Huang isn't optimistic. Texas was particularly hard hits by measles this year, with more than half of the cases reported nationally. Despite that, the state passed a law making it easier for parents to get school vaccine exemptions for their kids.

“It's crazy,” said Huang, Dallas County's health director.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traditionally releases the vaccination coverage data in its flagship publication, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. CDC officials usually speak to the...

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TOPICS: Health/Medicine
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[Ford4000]

Medical exemptions are not a problem except to the vaccine-industrial complex. Bureaucrats don’t have kids best interest in mind as we saw with their handling of covid. Parents have skin in the game, government doesn’t.

[Justa]

Yeah, I don’t do fluoride either.

[DugwayDuke]

T.B. Yoits wrote: “The diktat wasn’t for branches of government, it was for citizens. Their exemption, as citizens, makes it null and void.”

You obviously don’t understand separation of powers.

[DugwayDuke]

Ford4000 wrote: “Medical exemptions are not a problem except to the vaccine-industrial complex. Bureaucrats don’t have kids best interest in mind as we saw with their handling of covid. Parents have skin in the game, government doesn’t.”

So, some one who vaccinates their children don’t have their childrens best interest in mind?

[T.B. Yoits]

You obviously don’t understand separation of powers.

The illegal diktats had nothing to do with separation of powers. It was for residents of states, entry into the country by ANYONE, except Congress and their staffers, pharmaceutical korporations, and illegal aliens. It also turns out that charter jet passengers were exempt but non-illegal aliens on commercial aircraft were not. The same Pfascist who issued and upheld those diktats, flying on OUR dime, exempted themselves.

There was NO separation of power involved with the diktats. They were blatant violations - making diktats for some groups while exempting others. Once they did that, the diktats were null and void and ANY consequence of them was on those who illegally issued and illegally enforced them.

[NorthMountain]

the vast majority are parents withholding shots because the pharmaceutical industry threw its credibility in the sewer.

[DugwayDuke]

T.B. Yoits wrote: “There was NO separation of power involved with the diktats. They were blatant violations - making diktats for some groups while exempting others. Once they did that, the diktats were null and void and ANY consequence of them was on those who illegally issued and illegally enforced them.”

You have no idea of what you’re talking about. It’s been recognized since the first days of this republic that the executive branch cannot dictate to the legislative branch.

Nor were the mandates illegal or null and void.

Quite frankly, you’re letting your anti-vaxxer prejudices show.

[T.B. Yoits]

The diktats were NOT for different branches of government.
The diktats were for interstate travelers.
The diktats were for travelers in and out of the country.
The diktats were for people entering restaurants.
The diktats were for people going to hospitals.
etc.

NONE OF THOSE involve a separation of powers at the Federal level.

And yes, the mandates were illegal, null and void.

Quite frankly, you’re letting your anti-vaxxer prejudices show.

I'm not anti-vax as you splutter. I've had all my vaccines. The Jim Jones Jab was never a vaccine regardless of what the CDC and their pharmaceutical korporation cohorts changed their definition to. And it's not a prejudice to oppose them - the prejudice is against those who oppose illegal experimentation on humans as the MurdeRNA shot is.

And quite frankly, you've let your paid shill prejudices show.

[DugwayDuke]

T.B. Yoits wrote: “The diktats were NOT for different branches of government.”

The executive branch does not have the power to dictate to the legislative branch. Basic separation of powers. It’s a constitutional thing.
Besides most of those ‘dictates’ were state dictates.

T.B. Yoits wrote: “And yes, the mandates were illegal, null and void.”

You sound like a liberal judge issuing injunctions against trump.

T.B. Yoits wrote: “The Jim Jones Jab was never a vaccine regardless of what the CDC and their pharmaceutical korporation cohorts changed their definition to.”

That’s your opinion which doesn’t count. They were/are vaccines despite your opinion.

T.B. Yoits wrote: “And it’s not a prejudice to oppose them - the prejudice is against those who oppose illegal experimentation on humans as the MurdeRNA shot is.”

Once again, your opinion. mRNA is not illegal and it isn’t an experiment.

[T.B. Yoits]

Once again, your opinion.

And the number of others who have a similar opinion have made U.S. CHILDHOOD VACCINATION RATES FALL AGAIN. There it is, right in the title of the article. You can call MurdeRNA a vaccine all you want. People know better.

People with attitudes like yours have contributed to an awakening where others no longer trust fake scientists, corrupt government, or paid shills like you.

Congratulations. You played yourself.