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A new CDC report shows rates of vaccination and vaccine exemptions for the 2024 to 2025 school year. Here’s what experts say about the results.
Since the pandemic, there’s been a noticeable drop in vaccination rates among kids. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that this trend seems to be continuing even further. Fewer kids are getting vaccinated before they enter school and more kids are getting non-medical exemptions from vaccines that are required by schools.
If you are a parent of a school-age kiddo, you likely have questions and concerns about what this means, and how lower vaccination rates might impact your family. Experts in the field help us understand why this is happening, what it means for parents and kids, and what you can do to keep your child safe from infectious diseases.
Vaccination Trends the Report Highlights
The CDC report, published at the end of July 2025, looked specifically at the rates of vaccination and vaccine exemptions for the 2024 to 2025 school year. The report found that vaccination coverage for kindergartners entering school decreased. The trend was seen for all vaccines.
But the CDC notes that the vaccine rate for diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) dropped to 92.1%. Additionally, the vaccine rate for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) and polio vaccine dropped to 92.5%.
This new data shows that the vaccination declines we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic aren’t rebounding, says Robert Amler, MD, pediatrician, former CDC officer, and dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice and Institute of Public Health at New York Medical College. It also means we are moving too far away from the type of vaccine protection we need for herd immunity.
You need 95% coverage to achieve herd immunity, which is when vaccines are able to prevent spread of diseases from one person to another, and also protect people who don’t have immunity to the disease.
Dr. Amler has more concerns. “A similar concerning trend is a small rise in the proportion of that population who obtained non-medical exemptions to vaccines, implying more parents chose to avoid at least some vaccines for their children,” he says. “Rising exemptions also help push down vaccination rates.”
Why Are Vaccination Rates Declining?
It’s not entirely clear why vaccine rates have continued to decline, but Kathleen Mueller, MD, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) board member, has some ideas why this is happening.
“The prevalence of mis- and disinformation online, coupled with uncertainty surrounding vaccine recommendations, has made many parents question the safety and effectiveness of vaccines,” she says.
Amy Edwards, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, believes that although vaccine skepticism has been around for a long time, the COVID pandemic shifted that into high gear.
“Prior to the COVID pandemic there was very slight, but noticeable year-on-year increases in this skepticism,” shares Dr. Edwards. “But the politically-based reaction to the COVID vaccine seems to have spilled over to other vaccines and there has been a dramatic spike in online content across all social media platforms pushing a false narrative around various anti-vaccine talking points such as ‘vaccines don’t undergo safety trials.'”
Dr. Mueller points out that vaccines are actually rigorously tested, go through widespread research, and undergo trials and safety checks led by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are offered to people.
What Are the Impacts of Reduced Vaccination?
Most of us weren’t alive during a time before vaccines were widespread. But history tells us that having an under-vaccinated population can be a real threat to all of our health and well-being.
“In the decades and centuries before vaccines became available, many thousands died from diseases that now are preventable,” says Dr. Amler. “These conditions declined dramatically because of vaccines, but evidence shows they can and will return and infect again when vaccines are withheld or not given according to established schedules.”
Unfortunately, we are already seeing some of the impacts of declining vaccination rates. “As we’ve seen with the continued measles outbreaks across the country, especially in Texas, lower vaccination rates can lead to widespread outbreaks,” Dr. Mueller says. “Sadly, this has led to many children being hospitalized and two children even lost their lives.” These deaths were preventable with vaccines, she points out.
While vaccination rates falling by just a few percentage points may not seem like a lot, as Dr. Mueller points out, last year’s rates meant that 280,000 kindergartners were not protected from the measles. This means they were at risk of getting sick and spreading the disease in their classrooms and communities.
“We know that illnesses can spread rapidly in schools and daycares,” says Dr. Mueller. “When unvaccinated children are infected, they are more likely to get severely ill, be hospitalized, and face long-term complications from preventable diseases.”
Where To Get Reliable Information About Vaccines
It can be confusing to navigate the world of vaccines and medicine, especially when it’s easy to get wildly different opinions online, in the media, or among friends and family members. There’s nothing wrong with asking questions and doing your due diligence to make the best decisions for your family.
Still, it’s vital that you get your information from trusted sources. Your best resource is a health care provider who you trust and who knows your family’s background, point-of-view, and medical needs.
“Your doctor understands that you’re trying to make the best decision, and we want to help to answer your questions and equip you with information that makes you feel comfortable about whatever decision you make,” Dr. Mueller assures.
The best thing you can do if you are feeling unsure about vaccines or have questions is to reach out to your health care provider and begin a conversation, says Dr. Mueller.
“Share your medical history,” she suggests. “Share your concerns. Ask your questions. Your doctor wants to help you make the best decision for you and your family.”
Other resources that experts recommended for evidence-based information about vaccines include:
- The Academy of American Pediatrics (APA)
- The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Vaccines for Children Program (VFC)
- Your state, city, or county health department
How To Keep Your Child Healthy and Safe
Above all, the best way to keep your child safe for infectious diseases is to get doctor-recommended vaccines. Most doctors use the vaccine schedule from the APA. “Vaccines are recommended in the dosing and at the times where they can do the most good (protect children when they are most vulnerable, for example),” says Dr. Edwards.
While most physicians highly recommend vaccination to keep your child healthy and safe, there are other precautions you can take. “We’ll also reinforce other precautions to stop germs from spreading including washing hands frequently, cleaning high-touch areas at home and at school, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick,” Dr. Mueller shares.