New Jersey's Vaccine Exemption Surge: What's Happening and Why It Matters

Vaccine exemptions in New Jersey are on the rise, and it's not just a small increase. The numbers are growing fast, especially for religious reasons. In the 2024-25 school year, nearly 25, 000 kids skipped vaccines because of their family's religious beliefs. That's a big jump from just a decade ago. New Jersey is one of the states that allows religious exemptions, and the numbers are higher than the national average. But why is this happening? It's not because of a sudden surge in religious beliefs. It's more about people finding ways to avoid vaccines for reasons that aren't medical. The problem is, this trend could lead to more outbreaks of diseases that we thought were under control. Measles, for example, is making a comeback. In 2025, the U. S. saw the most measles cases in over 30 years. Most of those cases were in people who weren't vaccinated.New Jersey is already at risk. The state has lost its herd immunity to measles, meaning the community is no longer protected as a whole. Only 92. 8% of kindergarteners got the MMR vaccine last school year. That might sound like a lot, but it's not enough to keep everyone safe. The state allows exemptions for medical reasons too, but that's a much smaller group. The main concern is the rise in religious exemptions. Parents can get these exemptions without any proof or documentation. They just need to write a letter saying their beliefs prevent them from vaccinating their kids. This is a big deal because vaccines work best when almost everyone gets them. When exemption rates go up, the whole community becomes more vulnerable. It's not just about personal choice; it's about public health. The trend in New Jersey is worrying, and it's something that needs to be addressed.