Fact Check: Vaccine Hesitancy is Causing Preventable Diseases to Make a Comeback
What We Know
Vaccine hesitancy has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the resurgence of preventable diseases, particularly measles, in various regions, including the United States and East Asia. According to a study published by researchers at Stanford Medicine, childhood vaccination rates have been declining, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This decline has led to a resurgence of measles cases, with a notable outbreak in western Texas that infected over 620 individuals, resulting in 64 hospitalizations and two fatalities (Stanford Medicine). The study predicts that if current vaccination rates remain unchanged, measles could become endemic in the U.S. within two decades (Stanford Medicine).
In East Asia and the Pacific, countries such as Cambodia, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have reported sharp increases in measles cases in early 2025, indicating that many children are missing out on essential vaccinations. The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that the number of measles cases in the region is at its highest since 2020, emphasizing the critical need for vaccination to protect children's health (WHO).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that vaccine hesitancy is causing preventable diseases to make a comeback is robust. The Stanford study employs large-scale epidemiological modeling to simulate the spread of infectious diseases under various vaccination scenarios. It highlights that even minor declines in vaccination rates could lead to significant increases in measles cases, with predictions of millions of cases and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths if vaccination rates drop further (Stanford Medicine).
Moreover, the WHO's reports from East Asia and the Pacific corroborate these findings by illustrating a direct link between decreased vaccination coverage and the resurgence of diseases like measles and polio. The WHO has pointed out that systemic failures in immunization programs, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have left millions of children vulnerable to diseases that should be under control (WHO). The rising vaccine hesitancy, fueled by misinformation and distrust, is further complicating efforts to maintain high vaccination rates (WHO).
Both sources are credible, with the Stanford study being peer-reviewed and published in a reputable medical journal, while the WHO is a leading global health authority. Their findings align, indicating a consensus on the negative impact of vaccine hesitancy on public health.
Conclusion
The claim that vaccine hesitancy is causing preventable diseases to make a comeback is True. The evidence from both the Stanford study and WHO reports clearly demonstrates that declining vaccination rates, driven by hesitancy and misinformation, are leading to increased outbreaks of diseases like measles and potentially polio. Without concerted efforts to address vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination coverage, the resurgence of these preventable diseases poses a significant threat to public health.
