States are debating whether to make it more difficult for students to avoid vaccinations for religious or philosophical reasons amid the worst measles outbreak in decades, but children using such waivers are outnumbered in many states by those who give no excuse for lacking shots.
Data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a majority of unvaccinated or undervaccinated kindergartners in 10 of the 27 states reporting were allowed to enroll in school without any exemption.
Of the states reporting, Ohio had the second highest number of unvaccinated students. According to state data show the number remains high as students go through the school system, with 10% of seventh graders last year undervaccinated without invoking an exemption.
