Childhood vaccination rates in the U.S. have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines for common diseases are now less common among kindergartners. Even states with high coverage rates have seen declines.
This trend increases risks for individuals and the broader community. Falling rates could expose adults to illnesses considered childhood diseases. They could also bring back diseases like polio, once thought eradicated.
Why Have Vaccination Rates Dropped Since the Pandemic?
Vaccine coverage fell below 93% during the 2023-2024 school year. Diseases with declining vaccination rates include diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and chickenpox.
Families exempting children from vaccines rose to 3.3%, up from 3% last year. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine vaccinations for many families.
The reluctance to receive the COVID-19 vaccine may have extended to other vaccines. A 2024 survey showed that 8.3% of parents opposed school vaccine requirements.
Falling vaccination rates increase the risk of preventable disease outbreaks. Herd immunity for measles requires 95% vaccination coverage. Rising exemptions make this harder, even if all non-exempt children are vaccinated.
How Have States Responded to Vaccine Hesitancy?
Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia have led the U.S. in childhood vaccinations. These states enforce strict vaccination laws despite poor overall health outcomes.
Vaccine skepticism, however, may be eroding this success. Exemption rates in Mississippi and Tennessee have risen with national trends. Most exemptions are for nonmedical reasons, such as religious or personal beliefs.
States without vaccine exemptions now have higher immunization rates. California, New York, and Maine removed religious and philosophical exemptions. West Virginia has long prohibited nonmedical exemptions, keeping its vaccination rates high.
How Do Delays in Infant Vaccinations Contribute?
Delays in infant vaccinations also contribute to falling childhood vaccination rates. Babies receive vaccines to protect against about 15 infectious diseases. By age two, they have received nearly 30 shots.
Some parents delay or space out vaccines, but experts advise against this. Vaccines protect babies during their most vulnerable stages. Their immune systems are new and cannot fight infections effectively.
Childhood vaccines offer long-lasting immunity, making early protection essential. Spreading out vaccines may cause missed appointments and more doctor visits.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, delays lowered vaccination rates further. Children born during the outbreak were vaccinated less often than earlier groups.
Some parents worry multiple vaccines overwhelm their baby’s immune system. Experts say this concern should not prevent vaccination. Childhood vaccines expose babies to about 140 microbes, far fewer than the total germs they are exposed to each day.
Why Are There Concerns of Waning Immunity in Adults?
Falling vaccination rates also make adults vulnerable to childhood diseases. Even vaccinated people face risks from waning immunity over time.
Some vaccines last decades but do not provide lifelong protection. For example, 11% of the 284 measles cases in 2024 involved vaccinated people. More than a quarter of these cases were adults over 20.
Immunity to mumps and whooping cough also declines as people age. Mumps outbreaks in schools and universities have become more frequent.
Though mild in children, mumps can cause severe issues in adults. For boys, it may lead to fertility problems.
Whooping cough is another growing concern for adults and adolescents. The newer vaccine from the 1990s is safer but less effective. It does not fully prevent infection, and immunity fades over time.
Outbreaks among school-aged children with many social contacts could increase. Infants too young for vaccination face the highest risks during outbreaks.
How Does Polio Remain a Threat?
Polio vaccination rates in the U.S. are also below 93%. Poor coverage leaves unvaccinated communities vulnerable to the virus.
If polio vaccination efforts weaken, the virus could re-emerge in vulnerable areas. Before the polio vaccine, polio paralyzed over 15,000 Americans yearly. In 1952, it killed 3,000 people. Survivors often faced paralysis, breathing issues, or post-polio syndrome. Some survivors today still need braces, wheelchairs, or other assistive devices.
Even if large outbreaks are unlikely, any return of polio would be devastating. In 2022, an unvaccinated 20-year-old man was paralyzed by polio. The virus was later found in wastewater in counties with vaccination rates near 60%. Similar cases have been reported in Britain, Israel, and Canada.
Conclusion
Declining vaccination rates in the U.S. threaten public health across all ages. Diseases like measles, mumps, and polio could advance without strong vaccination policies. Timely immunizations and high coverage are vital to protect communities nationwide.
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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
