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Monday, Feb. 24, 2025

Are childhood vaccine exemption rates in Nevada increasing?

Tabitha Mueller, The Nevada Independent
yes

Since 2019, Nevada has seen a notable increase in school vaccine exemptions.

A 2025 state report indicates that the total exemption rate for kindergarteners has increased from 4 percent in the 2019-2020 school year to 7.1 percent in the 2023-2024 school year.

Most exemptions are listed for religious reasons, growing from 3.5 percent to 6.2 percent, while medical exemptions have remained relatively low. 

The rise in exemption rates mirrors a nationwide trend. 

An analysis from the health care policy organization KFF indicates that nationwide, the share of children claiming an exemption from one or more vaccinations rose from 2.5 percent in the 2019-2020 school year to 3.3 percent in the 2023-2024 school year. KFF reported that was the highest national exemption rate to date.

Overall, school immunization rates in Nevada are above 90 percent.

See a full discussion of this at The Nevada Independent

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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