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Publication Date

5-1-2021

Keywords

health

Volume

2021

Abstract

Vaccination hesitancy has been a concern for some time in the United States, but it is an issue that has become increasingly prevalent in the past 20 years. This hesitancy and mistrust of vaccinations has translated into lowered immunization rates for children and adults. The reduction in vaccination rates is driven mainly by concerns over safety, perpetuation of misinformation about vaccinations, and the increased polarization of immunizations in the United States. Low vaccination rates can cause serious consequences including re-emergence of dangerous diseases, economic consequences for communities. and furthered perpetuation of political divides. The US government and many public health organizations have utilized several strategies to increase vaccination rates, but rates still remain lower than recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This issue of low immunizations has been especially highlighted by the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, which brought much of the antivaccination dialogue to the forefront of public attention.

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