U.S. Kindergarten Vaccine Exemptions Rise to 4.2% as New Hampshire Reaches 5.4%
Updated
Updated · WMUR Manchester · Aug 24
U.S. Kindergarten Vaccine Exemptions Rise to 4.2% as New Hampshire Reaches 5.4%
3 articles · Updated · WMUR Manchester · Aug 24
Summary
CDC data show 4.2% of U.S. kindergartners had vaccine exemptions in the 2025-26 school year, up from 3.6% a year earlier and equal to about 155,000 children.
New Hampshire reported an even higher 5.4% exemption rate, up 1.3 percentage points from the previous year as families prepared for the new school year.
Health providers linked the increase partly to parental hesitancy and confusion over vaccine information, including questions about ingredients in the 10 shots required by New Hampshire schools.
Doctors said missed back-to-school vaccinations can still be given later and urged families to discuss risks, benefits and disease protection with their providers.