More than half of US counties are reporting an increase in vaccine exemptions for children entering kindergarten, with parents and guardians citing religious and personal beliefs. This is according to research published in the medical journal JAMA.
The study, published on January 14 and conducted by staff from NBC News together with Stanford University, took into account the period between 2010–2024 across 45 US states. It found that while during the 2010–2011 period vaccine exemptions for nonmedical reasons sat at 0.6%, they rose to 3.4% in 2023–2024.
According to Nathan Lo of Stanford, this increase is “concerning (because it) may be enough to be the tipping point for something like measles.” Indeed, vaccines have played a pivotal role in eradicating many diseases that were once deadly. The history of vaccines is an evolution of science and medicine that begins with early immunization practices and advances through centuries of innovation.
From pioneering techniques shared across cultures to breakthroughs like Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccine, each step built on the last. The development of safer and more effective vaccines, such as those for polio and influenza, transformed public health. Vaccines have helped people throughout history and continue to today.
Curious to know more about the history of vaccines? Click through now.