Childhood Vaccination Rates Have Dropped Again, C.D.C. Data Shows
The statistics, released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provide a sobering explanation for the resurgence of childhood diseases across the United States. Measles has sickened more people this year than in any year since the virus was declared eliminated in 2000, in large part because of a multistate outbreak that began in West Texas and has led to three deaths.
'The more these rates continue to drop, the more danger we're in of seeing outbreaks like we saw in Texas,' said Dr. Adam Ratner, a pediatric infectious disease expert in New York City.
The report comes at a time when public health experts are particularly concerned about childhood vaccinations because of increasing skepticism of the shots, including among top health officials. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, has questioned, without scientific basis, the safety of many childhood vaccines, including those for measles, hepatitis B and polio.
In June, a panel of vaccine advisers installed by Mr. Kennedy announced that they would closely scrutinize the immunization schedules for children and adolescents. Mr. Kennedy's appointees have also restricted access to the Covid-19 vaccine for healthy pregnant women and children.
The messaging from Mr. Kennedy's office seems 'specifically designed to sow distrust in vaccines,' said Dr. Sean O'Leary, chair of the infectious disease committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Note: Data is incomplete for Mississippi, Montana and West Virginia. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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