Dramatic Shift in Parental Attitudes Towards Vaccinations

A startling new poll from The Washington Post has uncovered that a staggering one in six American parents have chosen to delay or skip some or all standard childhood vaccinations. This trend raises significant alarms among public health officials.

Health Fears and Distrust in Authorities

Most of these vaccine-skeptical parents cite fears over potential side effects and a striking lack of confidence in federal health authorities, questioning their ability to ensure vaccine safety. Alarmingly, around 9% of parents have outright decided against giving their children vital vaccines like the polio and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shots, which are crucial in keeping these potentially deadly diseases at bay.

Echoes of Past Outbreaks

This hesitation comes on the heels of 2025's worst measles outbreak in over three decades, resulting in more than 1,400 confirmed cases and tragically three fatalities, including two young children. Such outbreaks could become increasingly common if current trends continue.

Who Are These Parents?

Interestingly, the poll revealed that those who delay vaccinations are more likely to lean Republican, be under 35, align with religious beliefs, or choose to homeschool their children. Yet, despite these vaccine hesitancies, an overwhelming 81% of parents still support vaccinations, insisting public schools should mandate measles and polio shots.

Widespread Vaccine Hesitancy on the Rise

The survey also highlighted a growing reluctance to vaccinate against other illnesses, with nearly half of parents not planning to get their children vaccinated against the flu in 2024 and over half feeling uneasy about the safety of Covid-19 vaccines for kids.

Misinformation Crisis