Map Shows Vaccine Rates Among Kindergarteners Compared to Outbreak Hotspots
Summary
The vaccination rate for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine among U.S. kindergarteners dropped to 92.4% in the 2025-26 school year. At the same time, measles cases in 2026 have already exceeded the total number from all of 2025, mostly affecting unvaccinated children. The Trump administration announced plans to change the federal childhood vaccine schedule by reducing the number of shots and separating combined vaccines.Key Facts
- MMR vaccination coverage among kindergarteners fell to 92.4%, below the 95% level needed to prevent measles outbreaks.
- Vaccine exemptions increased nationally to 4.2%, up from 3.6% the previous year.
- 41 states and Washington, D.C. saw increases in vaccine exemptions; 24 states had exemption rates above 5%.
- About 155,000 kindergarteners were exempt from one or more vaccines in 2025-26.
- Roughly 280,000 kindergarteners attended school without proof of MMR vaccination.
- Measles cases reported in 2026 already total 2,566, surpassing 2,289 cases in 2025.
- The Trump administration announced plans to review and revise childhood vaccination schedules, including splitting combined vaccines like MMR into separate visits.
- Some public health experts warn that these changes may reduce vaccine effectiveness, while vaccine skeptics like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have unexpectedly urged MMR vaccination.
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