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News
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds that 1 in 4 Americans now doubt the safety of the measles vaccine for kids — an 8-point drop since 2020. The U.S. is in the midst of its worst measles outbreak in 35 years, with over 3,200 confirmed cases and four deaths in Pennsylvania alone. Republicans showed the sharpest decline in vaccine confidence.
Trust in the MMR vaccine is slipping at exactly the wrong time. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that 76% of Americans believe the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is safe for children — down from 84% in 2020. That 8-point drop coincides with the worst U.S. measles outbreak in 35 years, with over 3,200 confirmed cases in 2026 and four measles-associated deaths reported in Pennsylvania in just the past month, all in unvaccinated individuals.
The decline in confidence is largely driven by Republicans, as Trump administration officials — including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — have repeatedly cast doubt on vaccine safety. The administration also overhauled the childhood vaccine schedule earlier this year, cutting recommended vaccines from 18 to 11, though the MMR vaccine remains on the list. Only 19% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the measles outbreak.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Measles is highly contagious, and nearly 20% of infected individuals require hospitalization. As vaccination rates fall below the herd immunity threshold and public trust continues to erode, the U.S. risks losing its measles elimination status — a milestone that took decades of sustained public health effort to achieve.
