Rising Vaccine Exemptions and Declining Immunization Rates in Florida and Maryland
Despite media concerns, childhood vaccination rates have only slightly declined since 2019-2020, with most children still fully vaccinated, and local vaccination rates vary widely. The recent decline is largely due to pandemic disruptions and misinformation, not recent political figures like RFK Jr., but ongoing vaccine skepticism and policy changes could further impact rates. Parents of vaccinated children can generally feel safe about playdates, as vaccines remain highly effective.