Childhood vaccination rates stories

Sep 17, 2026

Study finds childhood vaccination coverage stalled or declined across most EU countries after COVID-19

Vaccination coverage for children has fallen across the US and European Union since the COVID-19 pandemic, with Michigan reporting its highest exemption rate in over a decade and EU countries reversing progress made since 1980. Access issues persist as updated COVID-19 vaccines remain unavailable through a key federal program covering half of US children.

Sep 17, 20264 sources

Top claims

▪Nearly 25,000 public and private school students in Michigan were reported to have vaccine exemptions in 2025 out of more than 345,000 students with complete documentation.
▪States should require parents to attend education sessions for vaccine waivers
▪Sixteen European Union countries experienced recent declines in vaccination rates for four or more childhood vaccines, with Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden showing downward trends for all seven vaccines studied.

Subtopics

COVID-19 pandemic impact1 Healthcare access1 Infectious Disease and Outbreaks1 Public health policy1 Vaccination rates1 Vaccine access and delivery1 Vaccines and Immunization Policy1

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