Marlee Morrison, PHN, CHI St. Joseph’s Community Health Director
The resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases has raised concerns throughout the United States. In Hubbard County, childhood immunization rates have fallen. The percentage of children vaccinated for measles (MMR – measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine) was 74.3% in 2023. This is lower than the state rate of MMR vaccination of 78.7%. Both Hubbard County and Minnesota have seen declines in immunization rates over the past 10 years. 90% is the vaccination rate needed to prevent a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak.
Along with this decline in immunization rates in the state, MInnesota has seen a rise in measles cases starting in 2022, after 4 years without any documented cases in the state. Because measles has been so rare since the advent of the MMR vaccine, many are unfamiliar with how devastating the symptoms and complications can be.
Decreasing childhood immunization rates nationwide pose a serious threat to public health, with far-reaching consequences for individuals, communities, and healthcare systems. These consequences can include increased risk of outbreaks, increased stress on the health care system, increased risks of complications, particularly for young and vulnerable populations, and increased risk for all due to weakened herd immunity.
The childhood vaccination series, including the MMR vaccine, has reduced infant mortality rates and has had a lasting impact on public health. The childhood vaccination series has been rigorously researched and tested. While parents are often concerned about the number of shots in the vaccine series, today’s vaccines are improved from those decades ago, meaning the number of immunologic agents in the entire childhood vaccine series is less than what was in just two vaccines in 1980 (source: immunize.org). Many of the vaccine-preventable diseases are viruses, meaning these viral infections cannot be treated with medicine once an infection occurs.
Unfortunately, misinformation is everywhere. Parents should talk to trusted experts about the childhood vaccine series; their medical provider, or contact CHI St. Joseph’s Health Community Health. The importance of ensuring your child is healthy and fully protected, as well as maintaining a healthy community, is something we are all invested in.