US childhood vaccination exemptions reach their highest level ever

The U.S. has seen a record high in vaccination exemptions among kindergartners, reaching 3%. This increase is linked to growing parental skepticism about childhood vaccinations, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the overall vaccination rate remains steady at 93% for the 2022-2023 school year.

Exemption rates vary widely across states, with Idaho reporting the highest at 12%. Changes in state policies, like in Connecticut and Maine, have led to significant declines in exemptions. This variation reflects the impact of local laws and attitudes on vaccination decisions.

Health officials emphasize the need for a 95% vaccination rate to prevent disease outbreaks, such as measles. The stable national vaccination rate, despite increased exemptions, is partly due to children who are unvaccinated but haven't sought exemptions, highlighting the challenge in maintaining high vaccination coverage.