Georgia, South Carolina among states rising in vaccination exemptions

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows more kindergartners across the country are getting exemptions for school vaccinations.

While the majority of the U.S. saw a decrease in the number of kindergartners getting vaccinations, Georgia and South Carolina students increased, according to the data. Georgia climbed to 89% and South Carolina climbed to 93% from the previous year.

Aimee Behnke, a Memorial Health pediatrician, said maintaining high vaccination rates protects the broader community.

“So, we as a community need to keep that 90% herd immunity up so that we don’t have these outbreaks, to protect our most vulnerable people who can’t be protected by a vaccine,” Behnke said.

Exemption rates climb statewide

During the 2025-2026 school year, more than 5% of Georgia students got an exemption for required vaccinations. South Carolina’s exemption rate was nearly 6%.

Bonzo Reddick, health director for the Coastal Health District, said exemption rates across Georgia have climbed, but Chatham County has remained steady.

Behnke, said she has been practicing in pediatrics for 20 years, said the vaccine schedule has not changed significantly in decades.

“I tell parents who are worried is that we really have not changed the vaccine schedule since 2001. The chances are, the vaccines your babies are getting today are the same ones you got. We haven’t changed a thing,” Behnke said.

Behnke said the back-to-school shots have a proven track record.

“I sometimes think we’re a victim of our own success with vaccinations because a lot of people don’t see these diseases anymore. So they’re like, why do we even need a vaccine against it? Well, that’s because we’ve been very successful,” Behnke said.

Why timing and booster’s matter

Behnke said it is important for children to get their vaccines on time to maintain herd immunity because not everyone can receive the vaccines, and outbreaks can be dangerous for people who are immunocompromised.

Local counties above state averages

The Coastal Health District provided data showing 95% of Chatham County kindergartners received their vaccinations for the 2025-2026 school year.

Reddick said that rate helps prevent outbreaks.

“So usually when about 95% of the population’s vaccinated, you generally will not have outbreaks of disease. So very happy that we are well above the state average and that we’re hovering around that 95%,” Reddick said.

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, 95% of Beaufort County students also received their required vaccinations.

Behnke said if parents have any concerns about required vaccinations, the best place to get that information is from their child’s pediatrician.

For more information on your county, visit the South Carolina Department of Public Health.