A growing vaccine exemption crisis is spilling over as students return to school in the US, with 17 states reporting more than 5% of kindergarteners claiming nonmedical exemptions. The trend has led to a decline in vaccination rates among young children, with some states falling short of achieving herd immunity.
According to health experts, lawmakers have made it easier for parents to opt out of vaccinating their children, which has fueled the rise in exemptions. The crisis is also partly due to vaccine misinformation on social media and mixed messages from federal health officials.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently broke with federal guidance and released its own vaccine recommendations, recommending COVID-19 vaccines for all children between six months and 23 months. However, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that the CDC is no longer recommending the shot for healthy children.
As a result, parents are becoming increasingly divided on vaccination issues, with some fearing the shots could cause harm. “It’s extremely concerning,” said Dr. Sapna Singh, chief medical officer at Texas Children’s Pediatrics. “We’re seeing an increase in kindergarteners attending school unvaccinated.”
A new state law in Texas is set to make it easier for parents to access vaccine exemption forms online, sparking concerns that more children will be left vulnerable to diseases. Experts warn that the trend could fuel disease outbreaks among children as they head back to school.
Health experts urge parents to consult their pediatricians and family doctors with questions or concerns about vaccines, emphasizing that vaccines have historically been a key part of preventative health efforts for children.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/08/25/kids-back-to-school-vaccine-rates-exemptions/85629130007