January 12, 2023 – The percentage of schoolchildren vaccinated against measles has fallen below the critical rate needed to stop the virus from spreading within the population for the second 12 months in a row, in keeping with federal health officials.
More than 250,000 children who began kindergarten last fall might be in danger. Only 93 percent of them are protected against measles, a potentially deadly and highly contagious disease. according to CDC data.
It is the second 12 months in a row that coverage for measles, mumps and rubella has fallen below 95 percent, which is required to stop the spread of the disease. Such coverage has not been available for youngsters because the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
CDC data also shows that vaccination rates in kindergartens against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and chickenpox proceed to say no.
“We know that vaccination rates for measles, mumps and rubella among preschool children are at their lowest levels in over a decade … and that is a cause for concern,” Georgina Peacock, CDC's director of immunization services, said in a briefing.
The Washington Post said health officials are concerned in regards to the growing number of fogeys against vaccinations, noting that this will likely be related to political beliefs surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine. Officials say this may lead to dangerous outbreaks of diseases which might be normally prevented by vaccinations. For example, recent outbreaks in Minnesota and Ohio left greater than 100 children sick with measles.
Lower vaccination rates are also partly as a result of schools being closed and fewer children going to the doctor as a result of the pandemic.
Measles is a serious disease that sometimes results in death. It also weakens a baby's immunity and makes them more liable to other diseases similar to pneumonia and diarrhea.
Sean O'Leary, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, called the recent outbreaks “alarming.” Vaccinations “equip children's immune systems to recognize and resist disease so they can thrive and live healthy lives as adults,” he said on the news conference.