Measles vaccination rates have declined in most U.S. counties, study finds

Amid a widespread decline in childhood measles vaccination rates since before the COVID-19 pandemic across the United States, a study published Monday found that coverage can vary substantially within a state. Looking at county-level data in 33 states, researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination rate decreased from 93.92% in the 2017-2018 school year to 91.26% in the 2023-2024 school year.

AI Summary

Main Idea: A Johns Hopkins University study found that measles vaccination rates have fallen in most U.S. counties, helping leave many communities more open to outbreaks.

Key Points:

The study looked at county data in 33 states and found the average MMR vaccination rate fell from 93.92% in 2017-2018 to 91.26% in 2023-2024.
Of the 2,066 counties studied, 78% saw vaccination rates decline.
Only California, Connecticut, Maine and New York had higher average county-level vaccination rates than before.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the U.S. has 1,088 measles cases this year, and most are in West Texas, where some counties are well below the 95% level tied to herd immunity.

Impact on the People

Negative Impact

Lower measles vaccination in many counties raises outbreak risk for families, schools, and workplaces, especially in weak pockets like West Texas.

Positive Impact

Johns Hopkins and CDC data can help states target vaccines to high-risk counties and protect more people.

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Major:
Johns Hopkins Universityeducational / research institution

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