Vaccine Skepticism Grows as Polio and Measles Resurgence Raises Alarm

Concerns over declining vaccination rates and political appointments reignite public health debates in the U.S.

Measles, once eliminated in the U.S., has resurged with 16 outbreaks in 2024, linked to falling vaccination rates below the necessary 95% threshold for herd immunity.
Polio, eradicated in the U.S. for decades, saw a confirmed case in 2022, with public health officials warning of risks in under-vaccinated communities.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has a history of vaccine skepticism, fueling concerns about future public health policy.
An advisor to Kennedy filed a petition in 2022 to revoke FDA approval of the polio vaccine, citing alleged inadequacies in its clinical trials, despite its proven safety and effectiveness.
Diseases like diphtheria, rubella, and mumps, once nearly eradicated, remain threats as vaccination rates decline, underscoring the critical role of immunization in public health.