Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Vaccination rates among Ohio kindergartners fell across all tracked vaccines during the 2025-2026 school year, mirroring a nationwide decline.
Why it matters: The drop-off has coincided with continued efforts by the Trump administration to make controversial vaccine policy changes and with measles cases hitting levels not seen in more than three decades.
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, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest report.
How it works: The CDC's report tracked data across four core routine vaccine groups: measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP); poliovirus (polio); and varicella (chickenpox), alongside hepatitis B (HepB).
Zoom in: Ohio requires K-12 students to be fully protected against 10 vaccine-preventable diseases.
- The rate of kindergarten children with vaccine exemptions in Ohio in the 2025-2026 school year was 5.7%, according to the CDC.
By the numbers: Coverage with the MMR, DTaP, polio and varicella vaccines decreased in more than half of states, ranging from 92% for the 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.
What they're saying: The CDC, in a statement, said the data showed a 0.1% decline in vaccination coverage among children entering kindergarten.
- The CDC said it continues to encourage parents to discuss vaccination options with their doctors.
Caveat: It only takes a small drop in the vaccination rate to make herd immunity against measles plummet.
- The new data also doesn't indicate how many community clusters may actually have seen much greater declines.
Between the lines: Polling shows childhood vaccines remain popular, but administration efforts to upend longstanding vaccine policies could further erode trust in vaccines and public health, medical experts say.
- President Trump signed an executive order earlier this month calling for a slimmed-down childhood vaccine schedule and breaking the MMR vaccine into three separately administered shots.
- The order also advises states to review federal vaccine recommendations and update their school enrollment requirements.
Yes, but: Gov. Mike DeWine has remained supportive of vaccines despite shifting federal recommendations.