Impact of Declining Childhood Vaccination Rates on Public Health

The trend of declining immunization in children is gaining momentum in various regions of the United States, sparking growing concern among health experts as cases of measles, a highly contagious disease, are on the rise.

Increase in Vaccine Exemptions

Recent research highlights a significant uptick in the rate of non-medical exemptions from vaccinations, notably in more than half of the U.S. counties, a situation exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomenon reflects a broader hesitancy towards vaccines, with potential implications for public health.

Expert Insights

CBS News medical expert Dr. Céline Gounder elaborates on the consequences of this trend, drawing attention to how the reduction in vaccination coverage could lead to increased vulnerability to infectious diseases among children and, by extension, the wider community.