There is concern among public health officials and clinicians that a growing number of children are not getting properly vaccinated. The percentage of children under 2 years old who haven’t received any vaccinations has quadrupled since 2001. Even though the vast majority of parents follow the recommended vaccine schedules for their children, growing “vaccine skepticism” is creating pockets of undervaccinated children where preventable infectious diseases such as measles and whooping cough could spread. A report on vaccine coverage of children entering kindergarten revealed that 2.2% had an exception that let them opt out of vaccines, many for non-medical reasons. Although the percentage is low, the report noted that “this was the third consecutive school year that a slight increase was observed.” These events reflect a dangerous and growing skepticism toward elites and experts that could have profound consequences for us all. What role should the state play in forcing compliance?
CDC: Vaccination Coverage Among Children Aged 19–35 Months — United States, 2017
CDC: Vaccination Coverage Among Children in Kindergarten — United States, 2017–18 School Year