Kindergarten vaccine exemptions increase in NH, across country

New Hampshire is seeing a rise in the number of kindergarteners entering the school year without all recommended shots.

New Hampshire is seeing a rise in the number of kindergarteners entering the school year without all recommended shots, a trend that mirrors what federal health officials are reporting nationwide.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, families sought vaccine exemptions at a higher rate during the last school year, with the national share climbing to 4.2% from 3.6% the year before. That figure translates to an estimated 155,000 children during the 2025-26 school year.

State data show the same pattern in New Hampshire. Health officials said 5.4% of kindergarten students had a vaccine exemption for the 2025-26 school year, up 1.3 percentage points from the prior year.

Doctors say one reason behind the increase is uncertainty among parents, especially as they try to sort through a large amount of health information. Dr. Karen Morgan of Merrimack Pediatrics said families have been asking more questions this year about what goes into each vaccine, including the 10 required by New Hampshire schools.

Morgan advised parents to speak with their child’s health provider if they have concerns. She said providers regularly talk through the illnesses the vaccines prevent, along with the possible benefits and risks, so families can decide what works best for them.

Health professionals also noted that children who miss a shot before school starts can still be vaccinated later.