Outbreaks of infectious disease might be more common this year as Tennessee’s kindergarten vaccination rates have been slipping. Usually, a decline in vaccination rates results from parents opting their children out of receiving them. However, many children are missing their required vaccines, many of whom are unvaccinated without any exemption.
Public health experts have always striven to ensure a 95% vaccination rate among kindergarteners and establish herd immunity for diseases like measles and whooping cough. Tennessee is just below that threshold. The DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccination rate currently stands at 94.8%, just shy of the 95% needed for herd immunity. Even a small gap like this can be dangerous and lead to unnecessary outbreaks that could have a lasting effect on a community.
The rise in exemptions has played a significant role in this decline. The 2022–23 school year saw more than 2,500 kindergarteners exempt from vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This number has grown since 2018, when the CDC began tracking exemptions. Pre-pandemic, about 1,500 children were exempt, but the number has climbed each year, which means there is a growing trend of vaccine hesitancy among parents.
This hesitancy stems from various factors, such as misinformation, distrust in healthcare systems, concerns about side effects, and cultural or religious beliefs. Social media has played a key role in amplifying vaccine misinformation, making spreading false claims and intensifying skepticism easier. For parents with vaccine concerns, consulting a healthcare provider is the best way to receive accurate, up-to-date information.
While Tennessee’s exemption rate stands at 3.2%, ranking 27th nationwide, it is still seeing a sharp increase. The state ranks 12th in rising exemptions, with around 650 more children exempt in 2022–23 than in the previous year. States like Idaho, Oregon, and Utah lead with the highest opt-out rates, but Tennessee’s upward trend highlights the broader issue of vaccine hesitancy.
In addition to the rise in exemptions, there is another troubling trend: more children are falling into a grace period where they haven’t received their vaccines but also don’t have exemptions. The CDC has also been tracking these children, and their numbers are increasing. This may be a lingering effect of the pandemic when many families delayed routine healthcare, including vaccines, due to fear of contracting COVID-19. Studies have shown that during the pandemic, people also delayed other critical health screenings, such as for cancer and sexually transmitted infections.
As Tennessee’s vaccine rates continue to fall, the risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough increases. Tennessee has already recorded its first measles case in five years, highlighting the need to reach the 95% threshold to help prevent further spread. Measles can easily spread among children and lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. The return of this disease, once nearly eradicated in the U.S., highlights the importance of vaccination. If Tennessee continues this downward trend, more diseases like this could start appearing and have a ripple effect in the community. As the colder months start, it’s critical to receive all the required vaccines to help prevent sickness from spreading as we spend more time indoors.
Sources:
CDC: Reported STDs Reach All-time High for 6th Consecutive Year
Jama Network: Cancer Screening Disparities Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
