US childhood vaccination rates decline amid measles outbreaks

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates a decline in vaccination rates among kindergarten-aged children across the United States. While overall levels remain high, vaccination numbers for every specific vaccine type have decreased, with more than half of U.S. states reporting lower rates compared to the previous year.

At least 280,000 children missed vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Non-medical exemptions rose by 17 percent over the last school year, increasing the national rate from 3.6 percent to 4.2 percent. Health experts suggest that government communications regarding vaccine safety and benefits have contributed to this trend.

The decline coincides with the country experiencing its worst measles outbreak since 1991, with hundreds of cases already registered in states such as Utah and South Carolina. This follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump, alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Heidi Overton, aimed at reducing the number of childhood vaccines.