ADA News reports that a recent study released by Texas Health and Human Services shows vaccination and immunization exemptions are on the rise. Data from the 2022-23 school year indicates that 3.24% of Texas kindergarteners—with rates as high as 25% in King County—received exemptions “for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief” through the Texas Department of State Health Services. This represents nearly twice the number of vaccine exemptions from ten years ago.

While this study sample is limited to Texas, it has implications both nationally and in states adjacent to Texas. As such, ADA and ASDA encourage our members to take note of this upward trend and respond accordingly.