MADERA, Calif. – As families send children back to school, newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows fewer children across the country are entering kindergarten fully vaccinated, a trend pediatricians say underscores the importance of annual checkups.
The CDC reported that vaccination rates among kindergarten students declined slightly during the 2025-26 school year at the national level. Rates fell for multiple vaccines, including the combined measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, the polio vaccine and the combined vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
“Thanks to vaccines, serious diseases that once made thousands of kids sick every year have become more and more rare,” said Dr. Hailey Nelson, pediatrician at Valley Children’s. “Declining vaccination rates among kindergarteners in the U.S. is a concerning sign that we are going backward on this progress.”
At the same time, the percentage of children exempted from school vaccination requirements increased nationally from 3.6% to 4.2%. That figure has nearly doubled since the 2020-21 school year, when the exemption rate was 2.2%.
The latest data marks the fourth consecutive year that the national kindergarten vaccine exemption rate has reached a record high.
“This news comes at an especially concerning time for families,” Dr. Nelson said. “Our country is experiencing a 35-year high in measles cases. Whooping cough outbreaks are becoming more common. We are about to start cold and flu season as children head back to school.”
California continues to outperform national averages, though rates dipped slightly according to CDC data. Kindergarten vaccination coverage in the state remains at or near 95% for most required vaccines, compared with national rates generally ranging from 92% to 93%. Vaccine exemption rates have not increased in California, according to CDC data.
With students returning to classrooms, Dr. Nelson encouraged families to review their children’s vaccination records and ensure they’re caught up on immunizations.
“I want to remind parents to make sure their back-to-school checklist includes a visit with their child’s pediatrician so they can ask whether their child is up to date on recommended vaccinations,” Dr. Nelson said. “And if something you hear or read raises questions or concerns, talk to your child’s pediatrician. Your pediatrician knows your child, understands their health history and is there to help you make informed decisions. When it comes to your child’s health, we should be relying on science and evidence and not fear or speculation.”
Health experts say high vaccination rates are important for maintaining community protection against preventable diseases and limiting outbreaks. To view the data from the CDC, click here.
