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Some DMV parents are seeking "vaccine-friendly" pediatricians after being asked to leave former practices over how — or whether — they vaccinate their children.

The big picture: Almost 3.5% of D.C.'s kindergarteners had immunization exemptions last fall — up from 2.7% in the 2024-2025 school year, per data from the CDC.

• That's higher than Virginia (3%) and Maryland (2.5%), though below the national average of 4.2%.

This comes as the greater D.C. region has recorded several measles cases this year amid the nation's largest measles outbreak in 35 years.

Driving the news: Several local practices have publicly reaffirmed their longstanding childhood vaccination policies after President Trump's executive order recommending fewer routine childhood vaccines and more separate visits for shots.

• That includes Pediatric Associates of Alexandria, which recently announced it will continue to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) schedule.
• Several regional clinics also state they won't work with patients who don't plan to vaccinate their kids.

What they're saying: These policies are leading some local families to seek alternate care, says a Northern Virginia nurse practitioner at a "vaccine-friendly" practice, a term used online by some vaccine skeptics for spots that will see children no matter their parents' immunization stances. (The nurse asked to remain anonymous, citing harassment that other vaccine-optional providers have faced.)

• The nurse says vaccine-optional practices can be difficult to find in the DMV, with families relying largely on word-of-mouth and "medical freedom" databases.
• "We just are all very careful," says the nurse. "It's a pretty insular community."

How it works: The nurse says the practice doesn't require patients to follow the traditional AAP-recommended vaccine schedule.

• Some families forgo vaccines altogether. Others opt to stagger or delay them.
• The small practice doesn't administer vaccines but directs families elsewhere if they want them.
• The nurse says the practice's vaccine-optional stance isn't political: "The one thing I never do is tell them what to do."

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Pediatric Associates of Alexandria adopted its strict vaccine policy around a decade ago, but pediatrician Michael Hopper says the group has recently had to dismiss more families who don't comply.

• "It's your decision as a parent what you feel like is best for your kid," he says. "[But] we don't feel like it's fair to put other patients in our practice at risk."

Hopper points to one family the practice had dismissed whose two unvaccinated children were later hospitalized with measles after traveling abroad.

By the numbers: Most vaccine exemptions among D.C., Maryland and Virginia kindergarteners are non-medical, according to CDC data.

• Virginia, Maryland and D.C. allow religious exemptions, but don't offer separate personal belief exemptions like some states.
• The nurse says some local vaccine-skeptical families describe their objections less as traditionally religious and more as a broader "belief system and approach to life."

Hopper's take: "It has nothing to do with religion," he says. "It has everything to do with the skepticism that politicians are putting out there."

Zoom out: Some local clinics that aren't explicitly "vaccine friendly" will continue to work with families who want to space out, delay or avoid vaccines entirely out of concern the children will go without health care, pediatricians tell Axios.

But Hopper says that his practice feels comfortable with its mandate because families have many health care options in the DMV.

• "Sometimes you have to take a stand on certain things, and we just felt like this was one that was worthwhile."

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Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) plans to force a Senate vote this week on two new resolutions aimed at preventing President Trump from demolishing the Kennedy Center or building his proposed triumphal arch.

Why it matters: Senate Democrats are putting Republicans on notice that they're prepared to use every available legislative means, including the appropriations process later this year, to stymie Trump's efforts to erect or erase memorials in the D.C. area.

Driving the news: Merkley will introduce his two bills when the Senate returns this week and then seek unanimous consent to consider them at the first opportunity.

• That's likely to fail, but Democrats will have the procedural upper hand at the end of the year in the appropriations process, making individual votes more likely.
• Merkley has an important ally in Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who is cosponsoring Merkley's measure designed to protect the Kennedy Center.

The other side: Trump has said his arch will become a dual-use facility housing snipers, drones and ammunition.

• When he closed the Kennedy Center for renovations, he called it "tired, broken and dilapidated" and in need of an upgrade.

Inside the bills

❓ The jury in Trayon White's bribery trial said on Friday they couldn't reach a unanimous verdict after deliberating for three days. The judge denied the defense's request for a mistrial, and jury deliberations will resume today. (Washington Post)

👀 The Kennedy Center delayed repairs from going forward earlier this year despite knowing the building had structural issues, former employees alleged in a letter sent to Congress last week. The center's executive director denies these allegations. (New York Times)

🌊 The strong Nor'easter that bombarded the mid-Atlantic and New England this weekend brought flooding, rip currents and turbulent seas to the Delmarva region, plus showers and cool weather here in D.C. (WTOP)

🙌 Take a bow, Marcus Mariota. The backup QB threw three touchdowns and no interceptions as the Commanders stunned the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks 33-31 yesterday. (NBC Sports)

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A Virginia league for senior games is currently underway, and it's packed with events and athletes.

Why it matters: The Northern Virginia Senior Olympics has 1,356 participants this year — a record.

• Why? Two reasons: There are more NoVa seniors now, and older folks are increasingly aware of the importance of exercise, a games spokesperson tells Axios.

State of play: The group features athletes ages 50 to 101, competing in almost 100 types of events through Oct. 4.

• Think: Weightlifting, line dancing, power walking, corn hole, bowling (both Wii and analog), Sudoku, and many more.
• New this year: Darts and rock climbing.
• Events are taking place at venues like parks and community centers across the region.

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🤮 Mimi is white-knuckling life after spending the weekend at home with a stomach flu baby.

🥳 Cuneyt is on Day 2 of being in his 30s after celebrating his birthday over the weekend.

Today's newsletter was edited by Alexa Mencia Orozco.