US Childhood Vaccination Rates See Significant Declines

Childhood vaccination rates have declined across the United States, with notable drops in states like Nebraska, where rates fell from 81.7% to 59.6% due to misinformation and distrust following the COVID-19 pandemic. Mississippi's decline is linked to the introduction of religious exemptions, despite a high vaccination rate of 97.5%. New Hampshire's rates are below the national average, with declines attributed to missed wellness visits during the pandemic. Public health officials are concerned about the risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles, which have increased in recent years. The decline in herd immunity poses a significant risk for children with weakened immune systems who depend on high vaccination rates for protection.