CDC says kindergarten vaccination coverage fell again in 2025-26 as measles outbreaks increased.
Why it matters: Lower coverage leaves more classrooms and communities exposed to measles, which spreads quickly among unvaccinated children. The decline also widens the gap between current rates and the level public health officials say helps slow outbreaks.
- CDC says kindergarten MMR coverage fell to 92.4% in 2025-26, down from 92.7% in 2024-25.
- CDC estimates about 280,000 kindergartners entered school without documentation of completing the MMR series in 2025-26.
- Exemptions from one or more vaccines rose to 4.2% from 3.6% a year earlier, with increases in 41 states and the District of Columbia.
- CDC's measles surveillance page says the U.S. has recorded 25 new outbreaks in 2026, and 93% of confirmed cases have been outbreak-associated.
CDC data released Aug. 17 show U.S. kindergarten vaccination coverage fell again in the 2025-26 school year, extending a decline that has continued since the pandemic. The agency said MMR coverage was 92.4%, down from 92.7% in 2024-25, while DTaP and polio coverage were each in the 92.0%-92.4% range. CDC SchoolVaxView data
The agency also estimates that about 280,000 kindergartners entered school without documentation of completing the MMR series. That figure reflects missing vaccination documentation, not a CDC count of confirmed undervaccination. CDC SchoolVaxView data
Exemptions from one or more vaccines rose to 4.2% from 3.6% a year earlier, with increases in 41 states and the District of Columbia. CDC's 2023-24 kindergarten report said coverage remained below 93% nationally as exemptions climbed. CDC MMWR report
Measles surveillance has also worsened. CDC says the U.S. has recorded 25 new outbreaks in 2026, and 93% of confirmed cases have been outbreak-associated. AP reported, citing federal outbreak data, that the country is on its worst measles pace since 1991. CDC measles surveillance AP report
By the numbers
- 92.4% - CDC's reported kindergarten MMR coverage in 2025-26
- 280,000 - CDC estimate of kindergartners without documentation of completing the MMR series
- 4.2% - share of kindergartners with exemptions from one or more vaccines
Yes, but: CDC's 280,000 figure is an estimate of missing MMR documentation, not a direct count of children proven to be unvaccinated.