Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Vaccine exemptions among U.S. kindergarteners hit a new high in the 2025-2026 school year, rising to 4.2% as vaccination coverage slipped for every childhood vaccine tracked nationally, according to new CDC-reported data.
The exemption rate climbed from 3.6% the previous school year, a jump that translates to about 155,000 kindergarteners with exemptions from one or more required vaccines. The increase was widespread: exemption rates rose in 41 states and Washington, D.C.
At the same time, vaccination coverage declined across the board. National coverage ranged from 92.0% for DTaP to 92.4% for MMR and polio. Coverage for MMR, DTaP, polio and varicella fell in more than half of states.
#montana #montanamoment #nbcmontana #mtwx #news #nationalnews #national #cdc #usa #kindergarten #vaccine #vaccination #vaccines #children #high #record #recordhigh #watch
FULL STORY: nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/cdc-us-kindergarten-vaccine-exemptions-hit-record-high-as-coverage-falls-nationwide
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Vaccine exemptions among U.S. kindergarteners hit a new high in the 2025-2026 school year, rising to 4.2% as vaccination coverage slipped for every childhood vaccine tracked nationally, according to new CDC-reported data.
The exemption rate climbed from 3.6% the previous school year, a jump that translates to about 155,000 kindergarteners with exemptions from one or more required vaccines. The increase was widespread: exemption rates rose in 41 states and Washington, D.C.
At the same time, vaccination coverage declined across the board. National coverage ranged from 92.0% for DTaP to 92.4% for MMR and polio. Coverage for MMR, DTaP, polio and varicella fell in more than half of states.
#montana #montanamoment #nbcmontana #mtwx #news #nationalnews #national #cdc #usa #kindergarten #vaccine #vaccination #vaccines #children #high #record #recordhigh #watch
FULL STORY: nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/cdc-us-kindergarten-vaccine-exemptions-hit-record-high-as-coverage-falls-nationwide
Stay up to date with our digital and social media content:
Facebook: facebook.com/NBCMontana
Twitter: twitter.com/NBCMontana
Instagram: instagram.com/nbc_montana
Latest local news and weather: nbcmontana.com
Latest Weather Forecast: nbcmontana.com/weather
Download our App: nbcmontana.com/station/nbc-montana-news-and-weather-app
Share Your Photos and Videos: NBCMontana.com/ChimeIn
Send us News Tips: ml-Missoula-KECI-News@sbgtv.com
Call our newsroom: 406-721-5642
NBC Montana is a MT based station and a NBC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs, or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions.
