CDC report on lower vaccination rates among kindergartners sparks false claims

This week, a CDC report on lower vaccination rates among kindergartners fueled false claims about vaccine safety, and a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics sparked conversations about vaccine exemptions.

A CDC report on lower vaccination rates among kindergartners in the 2024-2025 school year dominated online conversations about vaccine safety. Additionally, a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics encouraging U.S. states and territories to eliminate nonmedical exemptions for school immunizations fueled false claims and a debate about parental rights. Meanwhile, in a popular post, the HHS secretary falsely claimed that a recent Danish study on aluminum and vaccines is deceptive.

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What’s trending in vaccine conversation:

On July 31, the CDC published a report that found that vaccination rates for all vaccines among U.S. kindergartners during the 2024-2025 school year decreased, including polio, DTaP, and MMR. The report also found that vaccine exemptions increased in 36 states and D.C. In response, some social media users celebrated the news, falsely claiming that skipping vaccines could make children healthier. Users also reignited discussions about COVID-19 vaccine safety and emphasized distrust in medical institutions, with posts receiving almost 15 million views.

Meanwhile, on July 28, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement encouraging U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia to eliminate nonmedical exemptions to school vaccination requirements, citing the rise in nonmedical exemptions across the country. The AAP highlighted that in certain areas, vaccination rates are dropping below the rates needed to prevent the spread of certain diseases, which can lead to disease outbreaks. In response, some online users claimed that removing nonmedical exemptions would be an assault on their parental or personal rights and called for the AAP to be defunded. Others joined the online conversation, including a representative from Louisiana, who posted that “any American’s reason for not receiving a vax [sic] is nobody’s damn business.” Other users proposed spacing vaccine doses out or delaying vaccinations. These conversations received over 400,000 views.

In a popular August 1 post, the HHS secretary cast doubt on a recent study from Denmark that found there’s no link between aluminum in vaccines and autism or several other conditions. In the post, which received over 3 million views, the secretary falsely claimed that the study’s results were deceptive and that the authors were funded by the pharmaceutical industry. He also linked to an article where he discusses what he claims are flaws in the study.

Read the fact checks: 

• Johns Hopkins: Understanding the Vaccines on the Childhood Vaccination Schedule
• Public Good News: How are routine vaccines tested for safety?
• PsyPost: RFK Jr. claims major vaccine safety study is fatally flawed — is he right?

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Talking points for health care providers to use in response to trending narratives

Each week the Infodemiology.com team will provide talking points and supporting messages in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. Health care providers can use this messaging when discussing vaccines online, talking to patients, or engaging with communities.

Routine vaccines are safe and save children’s lives.

• Routine vaccines have prevented over 1 million deaths and 500 million illnesses in the U.S. over the last three decades.
• Recommended vaccines—including the TDaP, polio, and MMR vaccines—protect children from 21 serious diseases.
• High vaccination rates protect all children, including those who are too young to be vaccinated and people with health conditions that prevent them from getting vaccinated.

Following the routine vaccine schedule protects children when they’re most vulnerable.

• The vaccine schedule is designed to protect a child at the right time, before they’re exposed to dangerous diseases. 
• According to the CDC, there is no data to support the safety or effectiveness of spacing out vaccine doses. 
• Vaccinating a child on time protects them early and helps prevent serious health problems.

The small amount of aluminum in vaccines is safe. 

• The recent Danish study, the largest study to date on the safety of aluminum in vaccines, confirmed that there is no link between aluminum in vaccines and autism, asthma, ADHD, allergies, or over 40 other conditions.
• Aluminum has been used to make vaccines more effective for almost as long as modern vaccines have existed, with no evidence of safety concerns.

Interested in recommendations tailored to public health professionals? Click here.