More Teens Are Getting Vaccines

image via New Scientist

August 19, 2025, 2:00 AM

• •Teen vaccination rates for diseases like measles and whooping cough are increasing, bucking the trend of declining rates in younger children.
• •The rise in teen vaccinations is seen as a win for public health, especially with rising antivaccine sentiment.
• •Communication between healthcare providers and parents plays a key role in vaccine uptake among teens.
• •Vaccination rates vary by state and region, with urban areas generally showing higher rates than rural ones.
• •Despite increases, vaccination rates for some diseases may not yet reach herd immunity levels.

Teenagers in the U.S. are showing an increase in vaccinations for diseases such as measles and whooping cough, contrasting with declining vaccination rates among younger children. This rise is seen as a positive development for public health amidst growing anti-vaccine sentiment. The study suggests that communication between healthcare providers and parents is crucial for encouraging vaccinations. However, despite the increase in teen vaccinations, herd immunity levels have not yet been reached for some diseases.

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