CDC Data Shows Kindergarten Vaccination Rates Still Lagging as Exemptions Rise
New federal data released Monday reveals that kindergarten vaccination coverage in the United States dipped again during the 2025-2026 school year, marking another year of failure to return to pre-pandemic levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that coverage fell by roughly 0.1 percent across the board, nearly flat compared to last year, while exemptions from one or more vaccines climbed to 4.2 percent, up from 3.6 percent the previous year.
The latest numbers confirm a troubling trend that began during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite efforts at the local level, the nation has not regained the ground lost in routine childhood immunizations, leaving public health officials and policymakers searching for answers.
What Do the New Vaccination Numbers Show?
The CDC's annual report on kindergarten vaccination coverage shows a continued slide since the pandemic disrupted routine health care and fueled skepticism about vaccines. While the overall decline is small, the increase in exemptions is notable, rising to 4.2 percent of kindergarteners. This means more parents are opting their children out of required school vaccinations, a decision that can have ripple effects on community immunity.
David Margolius, Cleveland's director of public health, told POLITICO that the flat rates over the last two school years may reflect a tug-of-war between local trust-building efforts and confusion coming from the federal level. He expressed hope that local initiatives would eventually help curb the decline.
Why Are Vaccination Rates Declining Nationwide?
Margolius pointed to a broader global trend, noting that wealthy countries around the world have experienced declining childhood vaccination coverage in recent years. He attributed this to a combination of factors, including fading memory of major measles epidemics and public backlash to government mandates and restrictions during the pandemic.
It is not just a phenomenon resulting from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Margolius said. It really is a global thing that we are seeing. He called for renewed national and global leadership on vaccines to reverse the trend.
When asked who parents are listening to, Margolius suggested that in the absence of consistent messaging from federal leadership, most families turn to friends, family, and their personal healthcare providers for guidance.
RFK Jr. Brings Health Message to Iowa
In a visit with local relevance, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared in Iowa on Monday in Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks' district to discuss children's health and promote the Presidential Fitness Test. Speaking at the Newton YMCA, about 30 miles northeast of Des Moines, Kennedy highlighted the importance of physical fitness for young people.
The sedentary condition of many of our children is contributing to this malaise, to the mental health crisis, to the physical fitness crisis, to the chronic disease crisis in our country, Kennedy said, standing alongside Miller-Meeks and other officials.
Local kids participated in the Presidential Fitness Test, which President Donald Trump reintroduced this year. The test, which sets exercises based on gender and age, was first established in the late 1950s under Republican President Dwight Eisenhower and was later promoted by Kennedy's uncle, President John F. Kennedy.
The visit is significant because Miller-Meeks, an ophthalmologist serving since 2021, faces a competitive re-election race against former Democratic state Rep. Christina Bohannan. Kennedy has made similar appearances in other toss-up House districts across the country, including Michigan and Wisconsin.
On Tuesday, Kennedy is expected to join Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to announce new services to combat addiction, a topic of interest to many Iowa families.
New Federal Program Targets Herbicide Research
In a separate development, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a new program Monday aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of herbicides or developing more environmentally friendly alternatives. The initiative, part of Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again movement, comes after some MAHA supporters were angered by President Trump's February executive order encouraging glyphosate-based herbicide production.
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health will fund research to detect and remove chemical herbicide residues from soil and water, as well as explore new, more environmentally friendly herbicide options. The agency has not yet specified how much funding will be allocated, noting that final decisions will depend on the quality of proposals received.
Blue States Push Back on Federal Vaccine Policy
While some states embrace the administration's approach to vaccines, others are moving in the opposite direction. New York Health Commissioner James McDonald pushed back against President Trump's recent executive order urging states to reduce required school vaccinations, calling the order recycled rhetoric that leads to more confusion.
McDonald emphasized that the order has no impact on New York, where Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation to allow the state to move away from federal vaccination recommendations. The new laws require health insurers to cover vaccines recommended by the state health commissioner and remove references to the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices from state law.
What Does This Mean for Iowa Families?
For Iowa parents, the CDC data serves as a reminder to stay informed about vaccination requirements and to consult with trusted healthcare providers. With Kennedy's active presence in the state and ongoing policy debates at the federal level, Iowans can expect continued discussion about the balance between public health mandates and individual choice.
As the 2026-2027 school year approaches, local health officials will be watching closely to see whether efforts to rebuild trust in vaccines can turn the tide. The stakes are high, as declining coverage could leave communities vulnerable to outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles.