schools
Measles returns to back-to-school conversation as Georgia vaccination rates slip
Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Abby Kousouris , Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 20, 2026
· 2 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Measles, once declared eliminated in the United States, was back in the back-to-school conversation as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the nation was on pace to top last year’s measles case count by August. New CDC data showed 86.8% of Georg...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Atlanta Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Abby Kousouris, Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway 8% of kindergartners had vaccine exemptions, and nearly all of those were religious, not medical, the report said.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
As the new school year approaches in Atlanta, the slipping vaccination rates in Georgia take on a pressing local significance. With 86.8% of kindergartners fully up to date on required vaccines, the city's schools may be particularly vulnerable to measles outbreaks. The rising number of vaccine exemptions, mostly for religious reasons, further erodes the protection afforded by herd immunity. Local health experts like Dr. Cecil Bennett are sounding the alarm, warning that measles can have serious consequences, including hospitalization. The misinformation surrounding vaccines is a concern that resonates deeply in Atlanta, where parents may be seeking guidance from trusted healthcare providers. As the city's students return to the classroom, it will be crucial for local health officials and educators to work together to promote accurate vaccine information and encourage parents to make informed decisions about their children's health.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Measles, once declared eliminated in the United States, was back in the back-to-school conversation as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the nation was on pace to top last year’s measles case count by August. New CDC data showed 86.8% of Georg...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Abby Kousouris at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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