In a shocking new report, a joint investigation by The Washington Post and KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), has found that every 1 in 6 parents are skipping or delaying routine childhood vaccines for their kids, one may think that the number is not so bad, is it? but health experts are warning that this growing trend over the years could set the precedent for serious public health consequences.
A staggering decline
Routine childhood vaccines are a part of protection against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, have long been considered a cornerstone of modern public health. But according to this report, about 16% of parents say that they have skipped or delayed at least one recommended vaccine for a child, even if their child was allergic or ill. According to the poll, conducted between July 18 and August 4, 2025, among 2,716 U.S. parents and guardiansThe figure might seem small but it is large enough to erode the whole community. What’s more troubling is that nearly 9% of parents admitted to delaying or avoiding highly critical vaccines like MMR or polio, both of which have seen resurgences in parts of the world where vaccine uptake has dropped.But, why are the parents rejecting vaccines
Fear of side effects: The most common concern cited by parents is the belief that vaccines might cause harmful side effects, including long-term developmental or neurological diseases.Lack of trust in Public health authorities: The Covid-19 pandemic further polarised public opinion about vaccines. Just 49 percent of parents said they have confidence in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure vaccine safety and effectiveness, while 51 percent expressed doubt.Misinformation: This skepticism has grown since the coronavirus pandemic, which politicized public health guidance and created space for misinformation to spread widely online.Desire for “natural” immunity: Growing number of p, which parents say they prefer to strengthen their child’s immunity system through “natural” methods like nutrition or exposure.The data pointed out that who is most likely to opt out of this provision:The poll uncovered clear demographics:
- Young parents, especially under 35 years
- White parents, especially those who are conservative or “very religious”
- Homeschooling families reported significantly lower vaccination rates
What health experts say
Health organisations such as the Centers for disease control and prevention and American academy of pediatrics, firmly maintain their point that is childhood vaccines are safe, effective and undergo rigorous testing before approval. The CDC says that delaying or spacing out vaccine doses leaves children vulnerable during the critical period when they need protection the most.
