All articles tagged with #immunization
CDC data show kindergarten vaccination rates remain high overall, but non-medical exemptions rose to a record 4.2% and MMR coverage fell slightly to 92.4%, signaling pockets of under-vaccination amid a national debate fueled by political figures and misinformation; experts say confusion around vaccines undermines uptake even as most parents still vaccinate.
CDC data show U.S. kindergarten exemptions rose to a record 4.2% in the 2025–2026 school year, contributing to a nationwide drop in vaccination coverage and highlighting wide state-by-state variation in exemption policies.
CDC data for the 2025-26 school year show kindergarten vaccination exemptions hit a record 4.2%, up from 3.6% and higher than 2020-21, with most exemptions for non-medical reasons. Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) coverage dipped to 92.4% (below the 95% herd-immunity target), while varicella vaccination fell to 93.4% with the two-dose rate edging up to 92.2%, underscoring ongoing measles risk amid suboptimum vaccination levels.
The piece lists 17 vaccines deemed transformative to U.S. public health over 250 years, from Jenner’s smallpox vaccine to COVID-19, highlighting how each reduced illness and deaths, contributed to eradication or near-elimination of diseases like smallpox and polio, and underscoring the ongoing role of vaccination with expert commentary and CDC guidance guidance.
Tetanus, a preventable disease caused by Clostridium tetani, is reappearing in the U.S. as vaccination rates dip; it can cause severe muscle spasms and even death if untreated. There were 38 reported cases in 2025—the most since 2006—prompting experts to warn that lower immunization could fuel more infections. Vaccines such as DTaP and Tdap remain the key prevention.
A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette investigation found that at least 20 Pennsylvania school districts linked parents to Vaclib.org, an anti-vaccine site, via exemption forms as vaccination rates fell and herd immunity weakened in dozens of elementary schools. While a state ad campaign aimed to boost immunizations, districts broadly shared the misinformation—some without realizing it—that then was removed after media inquiries. The findings highlight a lack of centralized oversight and enforcement of vaccine laws in Pennsylvania, and raise concerns about contributing to measles risk as districts face divergent messaging about vaccines.
Wastewater data indicate a rise in rotavirus in parts of New Jersey (notably Monmouth and Somerset counties) and the broader Northeast, signaling increased community transmission. Health experts urge vaccination and proper handwashing to protect children from vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, noting that the New Jersey Department of Health does not track individual cases. The virus typically peaks in late winter to spring, with expectations that activity may decline through May–July as the season progresses.
The Big Catch-Up immunization campaign, led by WHO, UNICEF and Gavi, delivered over 100 million vaccine doses to about 18.3 million children in 36 countries from 2023 through March 31, 2026, including 12.3 million zero-dose children and 15 million who had never received a measles vaccine. The effort also provided 23 million IPV doses and expanded to reach older children (1–5) to close equity gaps. While on track to reach at least 21 million un- and under-immunized kids, experts caution that strengthening routine immunization remains essential to sustain gains and prevent outbreaks, especially as measles cases rise. The initiative coincided with World Immunization Week under the banner “For every generation, vaccines work.”
A STAT opinion piece argues that CDC’s newly modeled childhood vaccine schedule—which mirrors Denmark and removes vaccines like hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningitis, and varicella from routine use—risks preventable disease in American children. The author, drawing on experience in Denmark, contends the U.S. health system’s size and fragmentation require a distinct, comprehensive schedule, and warns that abandoning vaccines could lead to outbreaks and serious illnesses, despite Denmark’s centralized care. He defends the American Academy of Pediatrics schedule and urges the U.S. to lead rather than imitate foreign policies.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is resurging nationwide and in California, with infant cases up by 54% in the first three quarters of 2025. The illness progresses in three phases and can cause severe complications, especially in babies under six months. Vaccination—DTaP in early childhood, TDap boosters for teens and adults, and vaccination during pregnancy—remains the safest, most effective defense and is key to achieving herd immunity. Antibiotics help reduce contagiousness when given early but don’t reliably shorten illness if started late. California’s AB 144 ensures the pediatric vaccine schedule remains in place.
Florida Republicans advanced a bill to broaden parental vaccine exemptions (adding a conscience-based opt-out) while preserving mandatory vaccines for MMR, DTaP, and polio, and it would require providers to discuss risks and benefits with parents. The 6-4 health policy committee vote signals a split in the GOP as Surgeon General Ladapo’s broader anti-vaccine agenda faces pushback, while the state health department is weighing potential removal of several non-mandated vaccines.
With major shifts in federal vaccine guidance—six diseases removed from routine schedules and an advisory panel head suggesting measles and polio vaccines could be optional—parents are scrambling to protect their children, delaying vaccines, switching pediatricians, or vaccinating earlier, even as measles and whooping cough infections rise across the country.
Snohomish County’s measles outbreak has grown to six cases, with the latest unvaccinated child linked to exposure at Slavic Christian Church Awakening in Mukilteo on Jan. 18. Health officials say most residents have immunity and urge vaccination, while public risk remains low and exposure sites are being tracked.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), backed by 12 medical groups, released a science-based childhood vaccine schedule that preserves the vaccines previously endorsed by the CDC and maintains a two-dose HPV plan for ages 9–12, contrasting with RFK Jr.’s push to shrink the immunization slate toward a Denmark-like list of about 10 diseases (and with the Trump administration’s past shifts). The CDC has trimmed vaccines from 18 to 11 diseases, removed the COVID vaccine from routine schedules, and some states are resisting these changes, including lawsuits challenging policy shifts. Measles resurgence and questions about polio vaccination loom as the vaccine policy debate continues.
After years of near-total alignment, U.S. public health policy is splitting: the Department of Health and Human Services moved to cut vaccines on the CDC schedule from 17 diseases to 11 and reversed its COVID-19 vaccine guidance, while the American Academy of Pediatrics released its own guidelines urging continued routine immunization for 18 diseases (including Hepatitis A/B, flu, RSV, and COVID in high-risk groups). California backs the AAP line, and ongoing disputes over HPV dosing (AAP: start at 9–12 with two doses; CDC: 11–12 with one) and the long-standing MMRV combo shot reflect broader clashes. The AAP has even filed suit against HHS over Kennedy-era changes, and data interruptions at the CDC are adding to concerns about evidence-based vaccine policy.}} ,{