Confidence in measles vaccines drops in the US, says study

Americans’ confidence in vaccines against life-threatening childhood diseases, including measles, has fallen in recent years, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll — a worrying sign for the country, which is facing the worst measles outbreaks in decades. The survey, conducted online and throughout the national territory, gathered answers from 1,143 adults and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

The data were collected over four days and completed on Monday. The research showed that a bipartisan majority of the population still supports vaccination of children against measles, a disease that has virtually disappeared from the U.S. for more than two decades, until a resurgence consolidated in recent years after a drop in vaccination rates.

Fall in the perception of safety

About 76 percent of Americans said they believe measles, mumps and rubella vaccines are safe for children, down from 84 percent in a May 2020 Reuters/Ipsos poll. The fall in confidence was most pronounced among Republicans, as some party members downplayed the importance of vaccines.

This reduction of eight percentage points over five years reflects a scenario of increasing vaccine hesitation, even in the face of robust scientific evidence. The source did not detail the specific reasons for the change in perception, but the political context and the dissemination of incorrect information may have contributed.

Active outbreaks and deaths

Pennsylvania, Utah and South Carolina are facing measles outbreaks this year. Pennsylvania has announced three measles-related deaths in recent weeks. The country has recorded more than 3,000 confirmed cases this year, the highest number in 35 years.

Measles is highly contagious and can cause symptoms such as fever, rash, and breathing problems. The disease is easily preventable with the combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella — a routine vaccine for children that has 97% effectiveness in preventing infection after two doses.

Vaccination below the ideal

The average U.S. vaccination coverage among kindergarten children fell last year to 92.5%, according to CDC data, falling below the 95% level that experts say is needed to achieve so-called collective immunity, capable of protecting those in the community who cannot receive the vaccine.

The triple viral vaccine is usually given between 12 and 15 months of age and again between 4 and 6 years. The drop in vaccination coverage leaves communities vulnerable to outbreaks, especially in areas with pockets of unvaccinated people.

Approval of federal management

The Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that only 19% of Americans approve of how Trump has dealt with the measles outbreak, compared with 52% who disapprove. The rest said they had no opinion or did not answer the question.

This majority disapproval index indicates dissatisfaction with federal policies of response to the outbreak. The source did not detail which specific actions generated the negative assessment, but the data reinforces the pressure on public health authorities.

Impact on public health

The drop in vaccine confidence and reduced vaccination coverage put at risk decades of progress in measles control. Collective immunity is essential to protect babies too young to be vaccinated, people with compromised immune systems, and other vulnerable groups.

The resurgence of measles in the United States serves as a wake-up call for other countries, including Brazil, which has already faced recent outbreaks. Maintaining high vaccination rates is critical to prevent the return of preventable diseases.

The Boca no Trombone Portal will continue to track the unfolding of this public health crisis and its global impacts. For more news about health and vaccination policies, browse our website.

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