New Data Shows Vaccination Rates Have Dropped Steadily Since The Pandemic
American vaccination rates have steadily declined since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting a significant shift in public trust toward vaccinations.
Once boasting "robust compliance," the nation has seen immunization rates dip steadily. According to the CDC, less than 93% of kindergartners received the measles vaccine last year—a drop from 95% pre-pandemic. Similarly, vaccination rates for other childhood diseases have waned.
This trend is not confined to red states, though partisan divisions are stark. A recent Gallup survey shows the widening gap: while Democratic voters' strong support for childhood immunizations dipped only slightly from 67% in 2019 to 63% in 2023, Republican support plummeted from 52% to just 26%. This divide reflects growing skepticism surrounding vaccines highlighted by the COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other questionable public health policies.
The New York Times recently framed the decline as a direct result of misinformation, but such claims overlook the legitimate concerns. The rushed nature of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, numerous reports of adverse reactions that were largely hidden by the media, and the persistence of COVID-19 despite widespread vaccination all contributed to public wariness. Many Americans also resisted coercive tactics, including vaccine mandates and attempts at implementing vaccine passports—measures championed primarily by Democratic politicians.
In states that voted for Donald Trump, exemption rates have risen significantly, while "compliance issues" have increased in both red and blue states. This dynamic complicates the narrative that hesitancy is exclusively tied to partisan politics.
President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has long raised concerns about the safety and necessity of numerous vaccines. His leadership may embolden lawmakers seeking to expand medical freedom and challenge vaccine mandates further.
Meanwhile, some states have already enacted changes. Louisiana now pairs vaccine mandate notifications with information on exemptions, Idaho allows adult students to exempt themselves, and Montana no longer collects school vaccination data.
While media outlets like The New York Times emphasize the "dangers" of declining vaccination rates, they often neglect the context of public disillusionment with their heavy-handed politics. To rebuild trust, policymakers must address these concerns, balancing public health needs with respect for medical freedom.
Subscribe today to get unlimited access to all of Evie’s premium content.