—
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is sticking to its childhood vaccine recommendations as the new school year begins.
The agency says clinicians should follow the schedules set by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Despite that guidance, a growing number of parents in Michigan are deciding not to vaccinate their kids against preventable diseases.
Rates have declined since COVID
MDHHS grants waivers to parents who object to vaccines for religious, medical, or philosophical reasons. In the 2025-26 school year, more than 24,000 students received waivers, a rate of almost 7%. That’s the highest number in 12 years.
Ryan Malosh runs the department’s immunizations division. He says routine vaccinations have dropped since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think what we’re seeing is that that more people are probably wanting to maybe delay some of the vaccines that they’re getting,” he says. “It’s not that they’re necessarily opposed to vaccination, but they’re just maybe concerned about all of the shots at once.”
Science is on the state’s side
Experts say misinformation about vaccines is also contributing to the decline, especially the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Malosh points to decades of scientific research that has shown the MMR shot is safe and effective.
“A single dose is 93% effective at preventing measles,” Malosh says. “Two doses, which is the recommended schedule for children once they age four to six years old, is 97% effective at preventing a case of measles.”
The guidance comes amid a 35-year high in the number of measles cases nationally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 94% of those cases were either unvaccinated or their status was unknown.
Michigan requires students to have at least six vaccinations against communicable diseases. Malosh says that includes influenza.
“That’s for everybody that’s six months of age and older,” he says. “They’re recommended to get a flu shot every year.”
Malosh says if parents have questions about vaccines, they should ask the experts—their doctors.
“They understand the science, and they’re trained in looking at these things,” he says.
