CDC REPORTS DECREASE IN KINDERGARTEN STUDENT IMMUNIZATION RATES FOR 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
HONOLULU — Vaccination rates among kindergartners in Hawaiʻi were lower for the 2025-2026 school year compared to the previous year, while religious exemptions increased, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) SchoolVax survey.
According to newly-released data from the CDC, Hawaiʻi kindergartener vaccination rates have fallen, reversing a previous three-year trend of improvements. State vaccination rate estimates have remained at or below the national average for the past three school years across all vaccinations.
| VACCINE | COVERAGE 2023-24 | COVERAGE 2024-25 | COVERAGE 2025-26 | |||
| Hawaiʻi | National | Hawaiʻi | National | Hawaiʻi | National | |
| DTP, DTaP or DT | 89.4% | 92.3% | 92.0% | 92.1% | 88.8% | 92.0% |
| Hepatitis B | 91.1% | 93.9% | 92.8% | 94.0% | 90.3% | 94.0% |
| MMR | 89.8% | 92.7% | 90.1% | 92.5% | 89.3% | 92.4% |
| Polio | 90.2% | 92.7% | 92.5% | 92.5% | 89.5% | 92.4% |
| Varicella | 89.1% | 92.4% | 89.7% | 92.3% | 88.5% | 92.3% |
According to the CDC, the religious exemption rate in Hawaiʻi increased from 5.5% for the 2024-2025 school year to 6.0% for the 2025-2026 school year. This trend is consistent with an increase in religious exemptions from 3.4% to 4.0% nationally.
The CDC estimates of statewide vaccination rates are based on data from a small random sample of Hawaiʻi schools. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has continued its independent monitoring of vaccination trends using data from all schools, with the 2025-26 school year numbers to be released soon.
“Parents want to protect their keiki. With the increase in conflicting information about vaccines, it’s understandable that parents may be uncertain how best to do so. However, these rates mean too many children are vulnerable to infection and communities are at increased risk for an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease —like we’re seeing with measles on the mainland,” said Dr. Kenneth Fink, DOH director. “We strongly recommend the routine childhood vaccines to protect the health of loved ones, and we encourage parents with questions to discuss them with their child’s healthcare provider.”
High vaccination rates are essential to keeping Hawaiʻi healthy, with a goal of 95% coverage. Improving community immunity is important to prevent or decrease the spread of diseases from person to person. This also helps to protect people at highest risk of serious disease, such as infants, people with a weakened immune system, kūpuna and those who are pregnant.
“It is worrisome to see an increasing number of our students unprotected against potentially serious diseases like measles and pertussis,” said Dr. Sarah Kemble, state epidemiologist and a pediatrician. “Staying up to date with all recommended immunizations is the best defense, and we continue to support the American Academy of Pediatrics’ vaccination schedule. We recommend families review their children’s immunization records and talk to their pediatric provider if they have questions.”
Childhood immunizations are vital for protection against serious diseases such as pertussis (whooping cough), measles and mumps. The percentage of kindergarteners vaccinated with MMR, the vaccine that prevents measles, mumps and rubella, remains below 90% for Hawaiʻi according to the CDC data. With record measles cases reported nationally and worldwide, as well as recurring outbreaks of pertussis in Hawai‘i, the DOH urges families to check their child’s vaccination records with a healthcare provider to make sure they are up to date. Completing the full vaccine series provides the best lifelong defense against these diseases.
Now in its second year, the Healthy Hawaiʻi Partners Program (HHPP) continues to make it easier for families across the state to access vaccines and other essential health services. HHPP strengthens community health by bringing schools, healthcare providers and local organizations together to offer convenient, culturally responsive care close to home. Through these partnerships, families can receive school-required immunizations, flu and COVID-19 vaccines, physical exams, TB screenings and wellness checks in settings they trust — right on campus or within their community.
In its first year, the 2024-2025 school year, HHPP facilitated 47 clinics. During the 2025-2026 school year, the program increased access to services by supporting over 500 clinics. Planning for the 2026-2027 school year is now underway. A few early clinics have been completed, and most schools are still finalizing their calendars and clinic dates.
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