Texas kindergarten vaccine exemptions jump
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Texas' kindergarten vaccine exemption rate jumped nearly a full percentage point in the 2025-26 school year, according to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Monday.
Why it matters: The rise in exemptions coincided with efforts by the Trump administration to make vaccine policy changes and with measles cases hitting levels not seen in more than three decades.
By the numbers: Texas' kindergarten vaccine exemption rate rose from 4.3% to 5.2%.
- Non-medical exemptions rose from 4% to 5%, while medical exemptions dipped from 0.3% to 0.2%.
- Coverage for diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) fell from 92.9% to 92.8%, while polio coverage declined from 93.2% to 93.1%. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) coverage was roughly 93.2% in both years.
Yes, but: Austin ISD kindergarten vaccination rates have rebounded significantly, increasing by at least 15 percentage points in the 2025-26 school year compared to the year prior.
- All six vaccines now exceed the 95% immunity threshold districtwide, up from 76.8% in the 2024-25 school year.
The big picture: Exemptions from getting one or more vaccines increased in 41 states and the District of Columbia, growing to 4.2% from 3.6% the year before.
- Coverage with the MMR, DTaP, polio and varicella vaccine decreased in more than half of states, ranging from 92% for DTaP vaccine to 92.4% for the MMR and polio vaccines.
- Public health officials say overall measles vaccination rates should remain above 95% to maintain herd immunity.