Measles News & Analysis

U.S. Kindergarten Vaccination Coverage Falls to 92% for MMR

During the 2025-2026 school year, U.S. kindergarten vaccination coverage declined to 92% for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The percentage of kindergartners with exemptions increased to 4.2% from 3.6% in the previous year, with 24 states reporting exemptions exceeding 5%. Approximately 280,000 kindergartners lacked documentation for completing the MMR vaccine series. The U.S. has recorded 2,566 confirmed measles infections this year, the highest in over 35 years, which underscores the importance of maintaining vaccination rates to prevent outbreaks.