A Nation at Risk: Declining Childhood Immunizations
An extensive analysis by NBC News reveals a troubling decline in routine childhood vaccination rates across the United States since 2019. This erosion of herd immunity against preventable diseases like measles, mumps, and polio poses a significant public health threat. This interactive report explores the key findings of the investigation.
of U.S. Counties
Have seen a notable drop in childhood vaccination rates since 2019.
MMR Vaccination Rate
In 68% of counties, falling below the herd immunity threshold for measles.
National Exemption Rate
The rate of kindergarteners with non-medical exemptions is rising, up from 3.0% the previous year.
The National Picture
The data shows a clear and consistent downward trend in vaccination coverage for kindergarteners nationwide, moving further away from the 95% target recommended by public health experts. This section visualizes both the decline in coverage and the simultaneous rise in vaccine exemptions, which are a primary driver of this trend.
U.S. Kindergarten Vaccination Coverage (MMR)
U.S. Kindergarten Vaccine Exemption Rate
Exploring the Divide: State-Level Data
The national average masks significant disparities between states. Some states maintain high vaccination rates, while others have fallen dangerously low, often corresponding with high rates of non-medical exemptions. Use the buttons below to explore the ten states with the lowest vaccination coverage and the ten with the highest exemption rates.
Why It Matters: The Public Health Risk
This decline in childhood immunization is not just a statistic; it's a countdown to a potential public health crisis. Herd immunity is the bedrock of communicable disease prevention. When vaccination rates fall below the critical 95% threshold, especially for highly contagious diseases like measles, it creates vulnerabilities.
Outbreaks can re-emerge, threatening not only the unvaccinated but also the most vulnerable in our communities: infants too young to be vaccinated, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. The "vaccine divide" highlighted by the NBC News investigation underscores a fracturing of a key public health consensus, with potentially severe consequences for community health and safety nationwide.
Test Your Knowledge
Take this short quiz to see how well you've understood the key findings from the NBC News "Vaccine Divide" report.