Childhood vaccination rates drop: 4 things to know
Childhood vaccination rates in the U.S. have decreased to their lowest levels in years, coming amid turmoil at the CDC and shifting federal guidance on COVID-19 vaccines.
Here are four things to know:
- An NBC News analysis published Sept. 15 of state records showed that since 2019, 77% of U.S. counties and jurisdictions reported declines in childhood vaccination rates, ranging from less than one percentage point to more than 40 points.
- During the 2024-2025 school year, routine vaccine coverage among kindergartners in the U.S. fell, ranging from 92.1% for the DTaP vaccine to 92.5% for the MMR vaccine, according to a July 31 CDC report. Exemptions rose to 3.6%, up from 3.3% the previous year.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling for the elimination of nonmedical vaccine exemptions, warning they can create unnecessary risks. The U.S. has reported 1,133 measles cases as of July 29, the most since 2000, with 92% occurring in unvaccinated or individuals with unknown status.
- California, Oregon, Hawaii and Washington recently formed the West Coast Health Alliance to coordinate vaccine guidance after upheaval at the CDC. Eight Northeastern states are also considering joint policies on vaccines.
Colorado issued a public health order allowing pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines without prescriptions, and Massachusetts is now requiring insurers to cover vaccines beyond CDC recommendations.
Florida, however, plans to eliminate all vaccine mandates, including immunizations for school entry.
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