Myth resurfaces that Amish children are disease free

Posts circulating in English and Spanish claim that a “new study” declared Amish children are the “world’s healthiest children” because they are unvaccinated. The post claims that the study found Amish communities have a “90 times lower” COVID-19 death rate than “fully-vaxxed and boostered, mask-wearing and locked-downed” Americans.

Recommendation: These types of posts undermine the importance of pediatric routine vaccination. Messaging may emphasize that Amish communities have been used as an anti-vaccine talking point for decades despite evidence showing that some Amish are vaccinated. Peer-reviewed studies and medical records analysis show that chronic diseases exist in Amish communities and that low immunizations make them particularly vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks, including measles, whooping cough, and COVID-19.  Additional talking points may emphasize that recommended vaccines are safe for children, protect children from serious illnesses, and decrease the spread of dangerous and life-threatening diseases. Learn more about recommended vaccines for children from the CDC.