Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia have some of the highest childhood vaccination rates. Experts worry a rising tide of vaccine skepticism is causing those bright spots to dim.

Summary

Childhood vaccination rates in Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia, traditionally high, are declining due to rising vaccine skepticism.

CDC data shows the percentage of kindergartners with vaccine exemptions reached a record 3.3% nationwide in 2023-24.

Experts link this trend to anti-vaccine movements and “health freedom” advocacy.

This trend could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough, as seen in states with low vaccine uptake like Florida and Georgia.

  • @[email protected]English
    7•23 hours ago

    100% agree with both points. The disconnect is the timeline each considers. As a father I am deeply empathic for the children that are not able to advocate for themselves and the immunocompromised that are basically left to be assaulted by other’s ignorance.

    But longer term, think multigenerational, the higher death rates for the anti-vax crowd may be the correction that leads to better overall outcomes for humanity.

    • @foiledAgainEnglish
      2•15 hours ago

      You said it better than I lazily did.