Wyoming Grants More Exemptions For School Shots

Wyoming has seen an increase in the number of exemptions it grants for required vaccines in children aged 4-6 over the last five years.

In 2010, the state granted 168 exemptions, which represents about 2.2% of kindergartners that year.  In 2006, the state granted 54 exemptions at those ages, or about 0.8% of kindergartners.

In 2010, Wyoming added vaccinations for chickenpox and a booster shot against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough to the list of required shots for students.

An Associated Press analysis found more than half of states have seen a rise in the rate of exemptions over the past five years. States with the highest exemption rates are in the West and Upper Midwest.

Wyoming grants exemptions for medical and religious reasons.