PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - With the first day of school right around the corner, health experts are urging families to check their child’s vaccination status.

New CDC data shows that coverage rates for several key vaccines are falling below the recommended level raising concerns about preventable disease outbreaks.

According to the CDC, vaccination coverage among kindergartners has dropped to between 92.1% and 92.5% below the 95% threshold needed to prevent the spread of illnesses like measles, mumps, and rubella.

At the same time, exemption rates have climbed to 3.6% nationwide, the highest in decades, representing more than 138,000 children.

Health departments across the country are stepping up efforts, hosting free clinics and reminding parents that vaccines are one of the most e

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