Vaccine exemptions hit a record high as back-to-school season begins

CLEVELAND — New data shows a record share of U.S. kindergartners had an exemption for a required vaccine last school year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.2% of kindergartners — about 157,000 children — lacked full coverage for at least one state-mandated vaccine. That's nearly 20,000 more children than the year before. Exemptions rose in all but nine states, and nearly half of all states now report exemption rates above 5%. Health officials are encouraging parents to check in with their child's pediatrician about vaccine require...