Georgia Faces Measles Risk as Kindergarten Vaccination Rates Plummet

As of September 2025, Georgia is facing a concerning decline in its kindergarten vaccination rates. According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 86.8% of the state's children were fully up-to-date on their required vaccines when they entered kindergarten last year, down from 88.4% the previous year and 94% a decade ago.

The state's vaccine exemption rate has also been on the rise, reaching 4.8% in 2024, with most exemptions granted for religious rather than medical reasons. This is the second-highest exemption rate in the South, trailing only Florida.

The falling vaccination rates and increasing exemptions have raised alarms, as the United States is currently experiencing the highest number of measles cases since the early 1990s. Georgia has reported six measles cases this year, all in unvaccinated individuals. Experts warn that it is only a matter of time before the state faces a serious measles outbreak.

The decline in vaccination rates is attributed to a combination of factors, including the spread of misinformation about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, as well as barriers to accessing healthcare. Some families in Georgia struggle to get their children vaccinated due to limited clinic hours, lack of transportation, and other socioeconomic challenges.

Public health officials are urging Georgians to take the threat seriously and ensure their children are fully vaccinated. They emphasize the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect the community and prevent the resurgence of deadly childhood diseases that have been largely eliminated in the United States.