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Vaccine Hesitancy

All articles tagged with #vaccine hesitancy

Measles resurges in the U.S. as vaccination gaps widen and misinformation spreads
health1 month ago

Measles resurges in the U.S. as vaccination gaps widen and misinformation spreads

The U.S. measles outbreak has grown to 664 cases in South Carolina and spread to several states, threatening the nation’s measles-elimination status as vaccination rates dip amid misinformation about vaccines; most infected are unvaccinated children, and experts warn the outbreak could worsen and fuel other preventable diseases, prompting renewed calls for vaccines, public-health outreach, and stricter school mandates to protect vulnerable populations.

Most vaccine-hesitant Britons eventually get vaccinated, study finds
health1 month ago

Most vaccine-hesitant Britons eventually get vaccinated, study finds

A UK study analyzing over a million people via the REACT study linked to NHS records found about 65% of those who were hesitant about COVID-19 vaccines later received at least one dose. Hesitancy was more common in economically deprived areas, among the unemployed, and in those with lower education, but concerns about efficacy and side effects were the main drivers and could be alleviated with targeted information; distrust in medicine remains harder to overcome, and some experts question the findings’ applicability beyond the pandemic context.

Survey Finds Rising Vaccine Skepticism Among U.S. Parents Despite Public Health Support
health5 months ago

Survey Finds Rising Vaccine Skepticism Among U.S. Parents Despite Public Health Support

A Washington Post-KFF poll reveals that 1 in 6 American parents are delaying or skipping vaccines for their children, often due to distrust in the healthcare system, religious beliefs, or political affiliations, with higher rates among white, religious, Republican, and homeschooling families, raising concerns about potential outbreaks of preventable diseases.

Senator Murray Warns Against RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Stance at UW Event
politics1 year ago

Senator Murray Warns Against RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Stance at UW Event

U.S. Senator Patty Murray has expressed strong concerns over the potential appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, citing his anti-vaccine stance and its potential impact on public health. Kennedy, known for promoting debunked vaccine theories, could influence vaccine approval and funding for medical research if confirmed. Murray highlighted the importance of vaccines and bipartisan support for public health, warning that Kennedy's leadership could undermine vaccination efforts and public health research. The confirmation process may proceed without Democratic support due to a Republican Senate majority.

Kindergarten Vaccination Rates Plummet Amid Rising Exemptions
health1 year ago

Kindergarten Vaccination Rates Plummet Amid Rising Exemptions

Childhood vaccination rates in the U.S. continue to decline, with less than 93% of kindergarteners up to date on required vaccines for the 2023-2024 school year, down from 95% pre-pandemic. This decline is accompanied by an increase in non-medical exemptions, rising from 2.2% to 3.1%. The trend is linked to vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, with public opinion becoming more partisan. The potential impact of a second Trump administration, which has shown support for anti-vaccination attitudes, could further influence these trends.

RFK Jr.'s Controversial Health Policies Stir Debate
health1 year ago

RFK Jr.'s Controversial Health Policies Stir Debate

Vaccine hesitancy is rising in Florida, exacerbated by the state's surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, who has been criticized for his anti-vaccine stance. This has contributed to a decline in routine childhood vaccination rates, now at their lowest in over a decade, and an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases like measles. Pediatricians are concerned that national health policy led by vaccine skeptics could further undermine public trust in vaccines, risking the resurgence of diseases like polio.