Surge in Childhood Vaccine Exemptions Across the US: CDC Report

A CDC report reveals that vaccine exemption rates for childhood vaccines have increased in 41 states, with an overall exemption rate of 3% for the 2022-2023 school year, the highest ever reported. Some states, including Alaska, Arizona, and Idaho, had exemption rates exceeding 5%. While overall vaccine coverage remained near 93%, exemptions over 5% increase the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. All states allow medical exemptions, while some also permit religious or philosophical exemptions.