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Maine
Statistics on children, youth and families in Maine from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Maine Children's Alliance
Kindergartners with exemptions from having immunizations in Maine
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Why This Indicator Matters
Kindergarten-entry vaccination requirements have played an important role in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. In 2019, Maine passed a law by referendum requiring school children receive vaccinations, which took effect in September 2021. The new law allows for exemptions to required vaccinations only for medical reasons and not for religious or philosophical reasons, If more kindergartners are vaccinated the chance that disease will spread through schools and communities is lessened. Achieving a 95% or higher level of vaccinations provides more protection against the spread of diseases than lower rates.
What the data shows
The kindergarten exemption rate in October 2024 was under 1 percent- 0.8% compared to 4.6% year before the law took effect. For the 2024-2025 school year, every county, except for Piscataquis (94% vaccination rate, exemptions 6%), achieved the 95% vaccination rate and had kindergarten exemptions at or below 5%. 18 schools had exemption rates over 5%, with the highest exemption rate at 26.7%.
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What the data shows
The kindergarten exemption rate in October 2024 was under 1 percent- 0.8% compared to 4.6% year before the law took effect. For the 2024-2025 school year, every county, except for Piscataquis (94% vaccination rate, exemptions 6%), achieved the 95% vaccination rate and had kindergarten exemptions at or below 5%. 18 schools had exemption rates over 5%, with the highest exemption rate at 26.7%.
Definition and Source
PROVIDER
Definition
Kindergartners with exemptions shows the percent of kindergarten students with a written exemption on file for medical, religious or philosophical reasons for any required vaccine. The numerator is the number of kindergartners with an exemption for any vaccine and the denominator is the number of kindergartners. Beginning in September 2021, religious and philosophical exemptions were no longer allowed.
Data Source
Maine Center for Disease Control School-Age Immunization Assessments
Notes
The year refers to the school year where 2024 represents the 2024-2025 school year. Vaccination records are as of October 1.
The percentage of missing records for kindergarten immunization 2024-2025 is 1.4%. Maine law requires these students be excluded from schools by superintendents until records are provided. In the latest year, 2024-2025, 16 schools had 10% or more with missing vaccination records for kindergarteners including 4 schools with greater than 20% with missing vaccination records in Aroostook, York, Penobscot, and Sagadhaoc.
The percentage of missing records for kindergarten immunization 2024-2025 is 1.4%. Maine law requires these students be excluded from schools by superintendents until records are provided. In the latest year, 2024-2025, 16 schools had 10% or more with missing vaccination records for kindergarteners including 4 schools with greater than 20% with missing vaccination records in Aroostook, York, Penobscot, and Sagadhaoc.
Last Updated
February 2026