USA: One in Six Parents Delays or Refuses to Vaccinate Their Children

Vaccine hesitancy in the US is growing. One in six parents delays or refuses to vaccinate their children. This is according to a study by The Washington Post and the non-profit organization KFF, as cited by Agence France-Presse. The survey covers over 2,500 parents and reflects the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public attitudes.

While the majority supports mandatory vaccinations, a small but significant portion questions their safety. Immunizations against measles, tetanus, and polio are most frequently delayed or skipped. The reasons cited include fear of side effects or a lack of trust in institutions.

By law, vaccines against measles, mumps, and rubella are mandatory for school entry, but several states allow exemptions for religious and non-medical reasons. The study shows that parents who avoid immunizations are most often white, conservative, deeply religious, and frequently homeschool their children.

The consequences are already visible—the percentage of children vaccinated against measles in kindergartens has dropped from 95% in 2019 to 92.5% in 2024, and in Idaho, it is below 80%, which is far from the 95% required for herd immunity. Consequently, in 2025, the US experienced its most severe measles outbreak in more than 30 years, resulting in three deaths, including two children.