Exemptions for immunizations required in school are on the rise in the U.S., leading to concerns among medical experts that diseases like measles could soon make a comeback in many states.

In November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that exemptions for immunizations required in school is the highest ever recorded in U.S. history – increasing to an average 3.0% in the 2022-2023 school year, with 10 states now reporting exemptions exceeding 5%. This leaves both vaccinated and unvaccinated children vulnerable to disease outbreaks including measles, experts say.

“There’s 9 million people in this country who can’t be vaccinated. They depend on those around them to protect them,” Dr. Paul Offit, a virologist and vaccine advocate, told ABC News.

In his upcoming book, “Tell Me When It’s Over: An Insider’s Guide to Deciphering Covid Myths and Navigating Our Post-Pandemic World,” Offit gives a historical account of the anti-vaccination movement in the U.S. and explains the rise of non-medical immunization exemptions over time and how these trends relate to the nationwide pushback against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

  • Shalakushka@kbin.social
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    11 months ago

    Case in point: an idiot trump supporter and antivaxxer spewing bullshit because the vaccine is now a political shibboleth thanks to Donald Trump.

    • random65837@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      LOL, I must be getting the “anti-vaxxer” thing wrong then given the amount of vaccines I’ve got flowing through me including the last flu shot.

      Nice try troll.

      • spacecowboy@sh.itjust.works
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        11 months ago

        You may have your shots but you’re still an idiot spreading misinformation. Wish you got a shot for that one too.