Survey Reveals One in Six U.S. Parents Delaying or Skipping Vaccinations

A recent survey conducted by The Washington Post has found that approximately 16% of American parents have chosen to delay or omit some or all of the recommended childhood vaccines. The reasons behind these choices often include concerns about potential side effects and a lack of trust in federal health authorities’ ability to guarantee vaccine safety. Notably, around 9% of parents have specifically opted out of important vaccines such as polio and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), raising fears among public health experts about the resurgence of preventable diseases. Indeed, 2025 marked the worst measles outbreak in over three decades in the United States, with over 1,400 confirmed cases and three fatalities, including two young children.

The survey further indicated that parents who delayed or skipped vaccines tend to identify as Republican, are under 35 years old, or cite religious beliefs or homeschooling as reasons for their decisions. Additionally, parental vaccination rates for COVID-19 and flu are also concerning, with about half of parents not vaccinating their children against influenza last year and over half expressing doubts about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for children.

Despite these trends, most U.S. parents continue to support routine childhood vaccinations. A significant 81% believe that public schools should mandate vaccines for diseases like measles and polio. However, vaccine resistance has grown, fueled by misinformation linking vaccination to autism and other false claims, often propagated by notable figures such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Furthermore, skepticism extends to federal health agencies like the CDC and FDA, with just over half of those surveyed confident in their ability to ensure vaccine safety.

In response to declining confidence, some states like California, Washington, and Oregon are forming regional partnerships to develop their own vaccine guidelines, bypassing federal agencies. High-profile changes within the CDC and advisory committees are also contributing to the ongoing debates and policy shifts in the U.S. vaccination landscape.