Decreasing rates of MMR vaccination observed nationwide in the United States, as per recent findings

Decreasing rates of MMR vaccination observed nationwide in the United States, as per recent findings

New County-Level Data Reveals Decline in Childhood MMR Vaccination Rates Post-Pandemic

By Jill Rosen

In an eye-opening report, researchers from Johns Hopkins University have uncovered a troubling trend: a dip in measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rates among U.S. children since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Across 2,066 counties studied, 1,614, or 78%, reported a fall in vaccinations.

Image credit: Johns Hopkins University

With an average county-level vaccination rate dipping from 93.92% pre-pandemic to 91.26% post-pandemic, an average decline of 2.67%, the U.S. is inching further away from the 95% herd immunity threshold needed to control measles spread.

Interestingly, only four out of 33 states studied—California, Connecticut, Maine, and New York—saw an increase in median county-level vaccination rates.

The study, published in JAMA on June 2, underscores the concern as more than a thousand measles cases have been reported in the U.S. this year, marking the highest number in a single year in over three decades, excluding 2019[1].

Image credit: Johns Hopkins University

Lauren Gardner, senior author and director of Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering, remarks, "This open, high resolution dataset offers a valuable resource to explore and better understand the country's vaccination landscape and the risks associated with measles spread." Her expertise includes using data and modeling to tackle disease spread, as seen in her role leading the data collection efforts behind Johns Hopkins' COVID-19 dashboard during the pandemic[3].

The county-level vaccination data serves as a complementary resource to the state and national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, providing a more nuanced look at the decline in MMR vaccination rates across the U.S. following the COVID-19 pandemic[4].

The team, led by former adjunct assistant research scientist Ensheng Dong, graduate student Samee Saiyed, former research assistant Andreas Nearchou, and undergraduate student Yamato Okura from Johns Hopkins, gathered county-level two-dose MMR vaccination rates for kindergarteners from state health department websites, from 2017 to 2024 where available[2]. The dataset spans at least one year of vaccination data for 2,237 counties across 38 states.

The data is now available for download[4].

Behind this decline in vaccination rates, several factors may have played a role, though the study itself did not explicitly list them. Contributing factors might include disruptions in healthcare services during the pandemic, heightened vaccine hesitancy, increased emphasis on COVID-19 vaccinations, socioeconomic challenges affecting access to healthcare services, and changes in school attendance patterns[5].

Further Reading

• More U.S. Counties Seeing Decline in Childhood MMR Vaccination Rates: Report
• New Study Alarms Over Measles Vaccination Rates
• Measles Vaccination Rates Plummeting Across the U.S.
• Despite Dips in Vaccination Rates, Maryland Remains Safe from Measles Herd Immunity
• Terrifying Map Unveils U.S. Counties at Risk of Measles Surge

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0623-measles-2022.html[2] Johns Hopkins University. https://github.com/Coronavirus-Data/covid19-us-counties-v30_vaccination[3] ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210813085935.htm[4] Hopkins River. https://github.com/HopkinsRiver/Covid19USA;dash/tree/main/vaccine[5] CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/17/health/measles-us-cdc-cases/index.html

1. The decline in MMR vaccination rates among U.S. children calls for attention in the realm of healthcare and medical-conditions.
2. The increase in measles cases in the U.S. necessitates a closer look at our current vaccination practices, especially with regards to the MMR vaccine.
3. The drop in vaccination rates is a concerning trend in the industry of healthcare and public-health.
4. Engineering data and modeling to tackle disease spread, as seen in the work of experts like Lauren Gardner, is crucial for understanding and addressing health issues like measles and other chronic-diseases.
5. The focus on COVID-19 vaccinations may have played a role in the decline of MMR vaccinations, revealing a need for better balance in our approach to various health threats.
6. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plays a vital role in providing state and national data on vaccination rates, but county-level data offers a more nuanced perspective on the issue.
7. The U.S. is moving further away from the herd immunity threshold needed to control measles spread, posing a risk to the health and wellbeing of our communities.
8. Improving access to healthcare services, particularly for those facing socioeconomic challenges, is an essential component of addressing the decline in vaccination rates.
9. Enhancing our understanding of the factors responsible for the drop in MMR vaccination rates can help inform strategies to increase vaccination rates and ensure the health of future generations.
10. The decline in vaccination rates highlights the importance of investing in educational initiatives and preventive measures to promote awareness about the benefits of vaccination and combat misinformation.
11. The current state of childhood MMR vaccination rates reveals the need for improvements in the workplace-wellness sector, particularly in terms of making vaccinations more accessible for employees and their families.
12. The data from Johns Hopkins University serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policy makers, and healthcare professionals working to address the decline in MMR vaccination rates.
13. Increased emphasis on health and nutrition can support the body's resilience against infectious diseases, such as measles.
14. Balancing the need for a strong immune system through diet and regular exercise with the importance of vaccinations is crucial for maintaining overall cardiovascular-health and immune-system function.
15. The decline in vaccination rates is another example of climate change's far-reaching effects on our health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of addressing climate change in all industries, including health care and science.
16. Investing in the research and development of new vaccination strategies and therapies can help ensure a resilient future for the health sector, by addressing gaps in existing vaccination programs and addressing emerging threats like measles and autoimmune-disorders.
17. As a society, it is clear that we must prioritize investments in research, public education, and healthcare infrastructure to improve vaccination rates, combat the spread of infectious diseases, and ensure the health of future generations.
18. Industries such as finance, energy, and real-estate must consider the impact of environmental conditions on public health, and invest in sustainable practices to lower the risks associated with climate change and chronic-diseases.
19. In addition to vaccination, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for overall health, including fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and sexual-health.
20. Encouraging various forms of exercise and maintaining a balanced diet can promote good cardiovascular-health, immune-system function, and longevity.
21. Management of mental-health issues, such as stress and anxiety, is critical for overall health, and can be addressed through a combination of therapies-and-treatments, self-care practices, and a supportive community.
22. Promoting mental-health awareness and resources in the workplace is essential for workplace-wellness initiatives, as mental health affects productivity and overall well-being.
23. Investing in self-care practices, such as meditation and mindfulness, can improve mental-health and support a healthier work-life balance, especially in high-stress environments like manufacturing and retail.
24. For men, addressing specific health concerns such as prostate cancer and heart disease is essential for mens-health and overall well-being.
25. Skin-care is another important aspect of health and wellness, and managing skin-conditions can help improve self-esteem and overall quality of life.
26. Womens-health is multifaceted, encompassing issues such as reproductive care, breast cancer, and osteoporosis.
27. Promoting health education and resources for women, especially in underserved communities, is critical for ensuring the health and well-being of future generations.
28. Parenting plays a crucial role in shaping children's attitudes towards health and wellness, with positive behaviors and education at home contributing to good habits and practices as children grow older.
29. Weight-management is an essential factor in maintaining overall health, with a balance of nutrition, exercise, and stress management essential for long-term success.
30. Investing in public-transit and encouraging active transportation (such as walking or cycling) can help promote a healthier lifestyle and reduce the environmental impact of transportation, contributing to the health of future generations.

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