U.S. school vaccination rates decline as exemption rates reach high levels
PBS · August 17, 2026Original source ↗
What happened
The national average exemption rate for school vaccinations has reached a record high for the fourth consecutive year. The majority of these exemptions are being issued for nonmedical reasons by parents.
Why it matters
This trend may impact public health and vaccination coverage in schools.
How this story affects people
How does this story affect you if you are a parent of a school-aged child?
Your child's school may have a higher risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases due to declining vaccination rates. This could lead to increased health risks for your child and others in the school community.
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