Decline in Measles Vaccination Rates Post-Pandemic Across U.S. Counties

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, childhood measles vaccination rates have significantly decreased in numerous U.S. counties, raising concerns about potential outbreaks. Data from a Johns Hopkins University study reveal that nearly 80% of over 2,000 counties experienced drops in vaccination coverage, including areas currently battling measles outbreaks. The study compared vaccination rates from 2017-2020 with those from 2022-2024 to assess the impact of the pandemic on immunization levels.

Most of the measles cases this year—1,088 nationally as of this reporting—are in unvaccinated populations. The virus has spread through both international and domestic travel, resulting in fatalities, with 2025 nearing a three-decade high for measles outbreaks in the U.S. Despite measles being eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, vaccination coverage below the herd immunity threshold of 95% in many communities now threatens to reverse progress.

The study highlights notable declines in vaccination rates in states like Texas, Colorado, Kansas, and North Dakota. For instance, in Texas, counties such as Gaines, Terry, Yoakum, and Lubbock show vaccination rates below the herd immunity threshold, despite efforts to increase coverage post-pandemic. Similar trends are observed in Colorado, where an outbreak linked to international travel led to vaccination drops in Arapahoe and El Paso counties.

The findings emphasize the need for community-wide immunization efforts to prevent further outbreaks. Maintaining high vaccination coverage is crucial to protect vulnerable populations and prevent the resurgence of measles, which despite being largely preventable, remains a public health concern.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-measles-vaccination-covid-pandemic-counties.html