What's happened
Vaccination coverage among US kindergartners declined in 2024-25, reaching a 33-year low amid rising exemptions and ongoing measles outbreaks. Data shows a slight decrease from previous years, with vaccination rates now below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks. Public trust and policy changes are influencing these trends.
What's behind the headline?
The decline in US childhood vaccination rates signals a concerning erosion of herd immunity, especially as measles cases surge to a 33-year high. The data reveals a persistent rise in nonmedical exemptions, now at 3.4%, driven by anti-vaccine rhetoric and political influences, notably under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This shift undermines decades of progress in disease prevention.
The CDC's decision to release less detailed data and the ambiguous messaging around vaccination emphasizes a troubling politicization of public health. The statement that 'the decision to vaccinate is a personal one' shifts focus from community protection to individual choice, weakening collective immunity.
This trend will likely lead to more outbreaks, especially in communities with high exemption rates, and could reverse gains made in disease control. The current political climate and misinformation campaigns are fueling vaccine hesitancy, which will require targeted public health interventions to restore confidence and compliance.
In the long term, unless vaccination rates are reversed, the US faces increased vulnerability to preventable diseases, risking public health and economic costs associated with outbreaks and hospitalizations. Restoring trust and clear communication from health authorities will be critical to reversing this decline.
What the papers say
The articles from Ars Technica, NY Post, Bloomberg, AP News, and The Independent collectively highlight a troubling decline in childhood vaccination rates in the US. Ars Technica emphasizes the political influence on CDC reporting and the rise in nonmedical exemptions, driven by anti-vaccine sentiments and misinformation. The NY Post and AP News focus on the increase in exemption rates, now at 4.1%, and the drop in vaccination coverage below the critical 95% threshold, with over 1,300 measles cases reported this year. Bloomberg notes that immunization rates for children entering elementary school have fallen to levels not seen in over three decades, correlating with the surge in outbreaks. The Independent underscores the third consecutive year of record exemption rates, driven mainly by nonmedical reasons, and the impact of misinformation and policy changes. Overall, these sources paint a consistent picture of a public health challenge rooted in policy, misinformation, and political influence, threatening to undermine decades of progress in infectious disease prevention.
How we got here
Vaccination rates in the US have historically been high due to school mandates, but recent years have seen declines linked to pandemic disruptions, misinformation, and policy shifts. The rise in nonmedical exemptions, driven by anti-vaccine sentiments, has contributed to lower coverage. The CDC's reporting process has been affected by political influences, impacting public health messaging.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Are US Childhood Vaccination Rates Dropping Again?
Recent data shows a concerning decline in childhood vaccination rates across the US, leading to outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles. Many parents are choosing nonmedical exemptions, influenced by misinformation and social factors. This page explores why vaccination rates are falling, how it impacts public health, and what parents can do to protect their kids. If you're worried about vaccine hesitancy or outbreaks, keep reading for clear answers to your most pressing questions.
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What Are the Latest Developments in Social Justice and Public Health?
Recent events have brought urgent questions about police conduct, protests, vaccine policies, and public health. Curious about what's happening and what it means for society? Below are the key issues and answers to your most pressing questions.
More on these topics
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a national public health institute in the United States. It is a United States federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services, and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. (born January 17, 1954), also known by his initials RFK Jr., is an American politician, environmental lawyer, author, conspiracy theorist, and anti-vaccine activist serving since 2025 as the 26th United States secretary of healt
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Measles (probably from Middle Dutch or Middle High German masel(e), meaning "blemish, blood blister") is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by measles virus. Other names include morbilli, rubeola, 9-day measles, red measles