Federal data reveal a significant rise in vaccine exemptions among American kindergartners for the 2025-26 school year. The rate of kindergartners exempted from MMR vaccines increased to 4.2% from 3.6% the previous year. Meanwhile, vaccination rates for various vaccines, including MMR, DTaP, polio, and varicella, have declined slightly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 92.4% of students received the MMR vaccine, falling short of the 95% rate needed to prevent outbreaks. This shortfall is occurring as the U.S. experiences its worst measles epidemic in 35 years. The national coverage rate has decreased since the pre-pandemic 2019-20 school year, which had a coverage rate of 95.2%. Since then, it has remained below 94%.
All U.S. states and the District of Columbia mandate vaccinations for children attending public schools, covering diseases like measles and rubella. Exemptions are allowed for certain situations, including religious or philosophical reasons. The latest data indicates a notable increase in non-medical exemptions across more states. Undervaccinated children in areas with otherwise high vaccination rates may lead to outbreaks, warned the CDC.
The decrease in childhood vaccine coverage coincides with the Trump administration and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. proposing substantial changes to federal vaccination policy. This happens amidst intense debates over COVID-19 vaccine mandates and diminished trust in public health authorities. The CDC reported over 2,500 measles cases last week, surpassing the 2,289 cases recorded for all of 2025. Of these cases, 93% involved unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination statuses.
In other healthcare news, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez discussed her decision to publicly announce the freezing of her eggs. She addressed concerns about political backlash due to her young career. Former White House COVID-19 czar Dr. Anthony Fauci refused a transcribed interview with Sen. Ron Johnson, citing the Fifth Amendment.
President Trump’s executive order to split the MMR vaccine into three appointments faced criticism from the pharmaceutical industry. The directive lacks scientific backing, according to drugmakers and trade groups.
Additional developments in healthcare included cyclospora outbreaks without confirmed sources and varied local healthcare headlines, including potential eviction of Californians as insurers cancel benefits and Kansas seeking a session to challenge reproductive rights.
In related news, UnitedHealth faces an IRS probe over potential tax avoidance, and criticism continues following the killing of a health insurer executive.
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