Growing Vaccine Hesitancy in the US Fuels Public Health Concerns
A new survey reveals a concerning trend: one in six American parents report having delayed or skipped vaccinations for their children, signaling a growing distrust in immunizations and public health authorities. The Washington Post and KFF survey of over 2,500 parents highlights a rise in vaccine skepticism that has been amplified since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specifically, 9% of parents have opted not to vaccinate their children against polio or the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Experts warn this could lead to a resurgence of potentially deadly diseases that were largely eradicated through routine childhood vaccination. In 2024,the US experienced its worst measles outbreak in over 30 years,with over 1,400 confirmed cases and three deaths. Further, roughly half of respondents reported not vaccinating their children against the flu last year, and 56% expressed concerns about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for children.
The survey identified key demographics among those hesitant to vaccinate: parents are more likely to be Republican, under 35, highly religious, and homeschool their children. Despite this, a strong majority of American parents – 81% – still beleive public schools shoudl require vaccinations for measles and polio.
This growing resistance to vaccines is fueled by misinformation, especially false claims linking vaccines to autism. The influence of vaccine skeptics, like Robert Kennedy Jr., who served as an advisor during the Trump administration, has significantly contributed to these fears.
Recent actions have raised further alarm. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was recently dismissed due to disagreements over immunization guidelines. The newly formed advisory commitee on immunization practices (ACIP), responsible for recommending vaccination policies to the CDC, has been populated with individuals skeptical of vaccines, following the dismissal of the previous committee. On Monday, the CDC announced the addition of five new ACIP members, including individuals who have opposed mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and promoted unproven treatments.
The current director is scheduled to testify before the Senate health Committee this week, as the ACIP prepares to meet and potentially reshape national immunization recommendations. These developments underscore a critical moment for public health, as declining vaccination rates threaten to reverse decades of progress in disease prevention.
