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While a new report shows childhood vaccination saved over a million lives and averted half a billion cases of disease during the past 30 years, a new poll finds Americans give less importance to immunization for children.
From the beginning of the Vaccines for Children program in 1994 until 2023, childhood vaccination prevented approximately 508 million cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations, and 1,129,000 deaths, according to a study released Aug. 8 by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The economic benefits included direct savings of $540 billion and societal savings of $2.7 trillion.
“This analysis demonstrates the continued and substantial health benefits associated with vaccinating young children, rendering the investment in vaccines and immunizations services an important and cost-saving public health strategy,” says the CDC.
The analysis also underscores the benefits of the Vaccines for Children program, established by Congress in 1994 to provide vaccines at no cost to eligible children. In 2023, about 54% of U.S. children 18 and under were eligible for vaccines through the program.
Poll finds drop in public enthusiasm for vaccines
Despite the remarkable success of childhood vaccination, a Gallup poll released Aug. 7 shows a post-COVID trend of giving less importance to getting kids vaccinated.
“Fewer Americans today consider childhood vaccines important, with 40% saying it is extremely important for parents to have their children vaccinated, down from 58% in 2019 and 64% in 2001,” Gallup says.
Fewer believe the government should require children to be vaccinated against contagious diseases like measles, with 51% agreeing today, compared to 62% in 2019 and 81% in 1991.
Measles surge highlights the importance of vaccination
As the World Health Organization notes, “vaccines have saved more human lives than any other medical invention in history.”
Unfortunately, the recent surge in measles illustrates the importance of vaccination. A measles vaccine available in the U.S. since the 1960s is so effective it officially eradicated the disease in the U.S. and many other countries. However, a lag in measles vaccination since the COVID-19 pandemic is allowing the disease to make a comeback, with 203 U.S. cases this year, and even more in Europe.
“The rise of measles is of great concern—a very safe and effective vaccine is available to prevent the disease and greatly decrease the burden on children, parents, schools, and the entire healthcare ecosystem,” notes Phyllis Arthur, EVP and Head of Healthcare Policy and Programs at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).
