Health
Why Some Parents Are Skipping Kids’ Vaccines
Health Points
- One in six U.S. parents have delayed or skipped routine vaccinations for their children due to safety concerns or doubts about necessity.
- Declining trust in medical institutions and widespread misinformation contribute to vaccine hesitancy, impacting herd immunity rates.
- Experts warn that lower vaccination coverage increases the risk of disease outbreaks and preventable illnesses in vulnerable groups.
Many American parents are rethinking childhood vaccines, with some delaying or skipping doses because of concerns about safety or necessity. Parental age, political affiliation, and homeschooling status are factors linked to these decisions, as seen in a recent KFF survey.
Misinformation on social media and shifts in vaccine guidelines have fueled uncertainty for families, according to Dr. Violeta Rodriguez of the University of Illinois. “The MAHA movement has also amplified skepticism about vaccine schedules, which can reinforce doubts for parents who are already hesitant,” Dr. Rodriguez explains.
Mistrust in medical institutions, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to erode confidence, says Carmel Shachar of Harvard Law School. “In general, trust in our institutions is at an all-time low, and trust in our medical institutions is no exception, especially after the intense experience that was the COVID-19 pandemic,” Shachar notes.
With fewer parents accepting vaccine recommendations, community health is affected. Recent data shows childhood vaccination rates dropping in over three-quarters of U.S. counties and jurisdictions since 2019, with many no longer meeting coverage levels needed for herd immunity.
St. Louis saw a significant drop, with kindergarten vaccination rates falling from 91.6 percent in 2010 to 75.9 percent in 2024. “Measles is the most contagious of all respiratory human pathogens,” says Dr. John Swartzberg from UC Berkeley. “We need to have close to 95 percent of the community immune to prevent outbreaks. The sole reason for this year’s large measles outbreak and four deaths in unimmunized Americans is because community immunity in many parts of the United States has dropped well below this number.”
Experts like Dr. Rodriguez warn that unless more families return to recommended immunization schedules, more preventable illness and death will occur, especially among infants, children with chronic illnesses, and communities with limited healthcare access. “Childhood vaccines are among the safest and most effective tools in medicine,” Dr. Rodriguez urges. “They protect your child from severe complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling, and paralysis, while also protecting the broader community.”
If you’re wrestling with questions about vaccines, reach out to your child’s pediatrician and discuss any concerns—evidence shows immunizations offer crucial protection for kids and communities alike.