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Michigan Vaccine Opt-Outs Surge Past 7%
3 Sep
Summary
- Michigan vaccine opt-out rate more than doubled in five years.
- Exemption rates reached a 12-year high in 2025.
- Most exemptions are for philosophical or religious reasons.
The rate of Michigan parents opting out of childhood vaccinations has more than doubled in the last five years. Data for the 2025-2026 school year indicates a 7.1% exemption rate for school-required immunizations.
This figure represents a 12-year high, increasing from 3.1% in 2015 to 6.2% in 2024. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) expressed concern over this rise, especially in conjunction with worries about resurgent diseases like measles.
Exemptions can be granted for medical reasons or deeply held religious or philosophical beliefs. In 2025, only 2.6% of exemptions were medically justified; the overwhelming 97.4% were due to non-medical reasons.
Specifically, 58% cited philosophical beliefs and 39.4% cited religious objections. Public schools reported lower exemption rates (6.6%) compared to private schools (13.1%).
Michigan implemented an education requirement for vaccine exemptions in 2014, which initially led to a decrease in opt-out rates. MDHHS emphasizes that up-to-date vaccinations protect individuals and communities, especially vulnerable populations.
