Measles Cases Surge as Vaccine Exemptions Hit Record High Among US Kindergartners
You know, there’s been some pretty alarming news lately about measles making a comeback in the U.S., and it’s tied to something that’s been quietly growing over the past few years—more and more kindergartners aren’t getting their required vaccinations. According to the latest CDC data, nearly 286,000 children entering kindergarten during the 2024–25 school year hadn’t completed the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine series. That’s a serious concern, especially now that we’re seeing the highest number of measles cases in the U.S. in 25 years .
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What’s even more worrying is that a record 3.6% of kindergartners received exemptions from at least one required vaccine—most of them for non-medical reasons. We’re not just talking about a few states either. Exemptions went up in 36 states , and in 17 of those , over 5% of kindergartners had exemptions. That makes it harder to hit the 95% vaccination coverage target that public health experts say is necessary to prevent outbreaks of highly contagious diseases like measles.
The CDC is stressing, once again, that vaccination remains the best defense we have to protect children from preventable diseases that can cause serious health complications or even death. But at the same time, there’s this mixed messaging going around. While the CDC supports vaccine access and awareness, they’re also echoing language about vaccination being a “personal choice,” which public health advocates say sends the wrong signal—especially now.
There’s also the issue of state laws . While only five states—like California and New York—limit vaccine exemptions to medical reasons only , most states allow exemptions for religious or personal beliefs . And when those are allowed, people often switch categories to keep opting out. A study even found that when personal belief exemptions were removed, religious exemptions suddenly spiked—suggesting the exemptions are being used as loopholes.
The consequences of these policy shifts are already being felt. Take Texas, for example—MMR vaccination rates among kindergartners have dipped to just over 93%, and exemptions are rising fast. A new law set to take effect this fall will make it even easier for parents to file exemptions, simply by printing a form online. And not surprisingly, Texas is where the bulk of this year’s measles cases have been reported.
It’s a classic case of “vaccines being a victim of their own success.” Because diseases like measles haven’t been seen much in recent years, people forget how dangerous they can be. But with this latest outbreak, some parents are beginning to take notice. Doctors say they’re seeing more families come in asking for vaccines before the school year starts, just to make sure their kids are protected.
So while the numbers may not seem huge—like a 0.2% drop in coverage year-over-year—these small changes, repeated over time, add up . And when communities fall below that protective threshold, diseases that were once considered eliminated can come roaring back.
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