New Jersey is reporting a significant increase in religious exemptions from childhood vaccination requirements, as overall immunization coverage among schoolchildren continues to slip, according to new data from the state Department of Health.
During the 2024–25 school year, 24,962 students were exempted from required vaccines for religious reasons, representing an increase of nearly 25% compared with the previous year. The exemptions account for roughly 5% of students in pre-K, kindergarten, first grade, sixth grade and those transferring into schools. State figures show the number is nearly three times higher than it was a decade ago.
Among kindergarteners, New Jersey’s religious exemption rate rose to 4.6%, exceeding the national median of 4%, data show.
Under New Jersey law, parents may request a religious exemption by submitting a signed, written statement. The state does not require proof of religious affiliation and does not permit exemptions based on philosophical or personal beliefs. Medical exemptions are allowed but remain uncommon, making up just 0.2% of students this school year.
Health officials warn the trend could increase the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says at least 95% vaccination coverage is typically needed to maintain herd immunity against measles. New Jersey’s measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination rate among kindergarteners fell to 92.8% in 2024–25, down from 93% the year before.
The decline comes as measles cases continue to rise nationwide. The CDC reported 2,255 measles cases in the United States in 2025, the highest level in a quarter century. About 93% of cases involved people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.