Efforts to Boost Vaccination Rates Ahead of School Year

On a September morning, a line of families gathered outside a clinic in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. It was the day when students without complete immunizations faced exclusion from school, a pressing concern for many.

Instead of turning families away, local school leaders collaborated with the county health department to provide vaccinations on-site. That day, they successfully immunized 42 middle and high school students against diseases including tetanus, pertussis, and meningitis, allowing them to return to their classrooms.

“We’ve been doing this for a couple of years now, and it’s really effective,” remarked Lora Werner, the director of the Delaware County Health Department.

This vaccination event was part of a broader back-to-school immunization initiative aimed at addressing rising measles cases in Pennsylvania, which had reached 693 and resulted in four deaths as of mid-September. The campaign also featured a mobile clinic, a traveling RV that visits community events, along with partnerships with school districts and transparent vaccination data to prevent a decline in immunization rates.

These local efforts are a response to a larger national issue. Public health official Robert F Kennedy Jr. has been vocal in questioning vaccine efficacy and undermining the science behind vaccinations. His recent executive order aimed to reduce the number of recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11 and proposed splitting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate shots, lacking new scientific backing.

As federal guidance becomes increasingly unreliable, the burden of reassurance falls on state governors, health departments, and frontline doctors. They are working urgently to combat misinformation regarding childhood vaccines.

“Our job is to convey what the science indicates and provide a dependable vaccine schedule,” said Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Measles serves as a warning sign, and we must be vigilant about other vaccine-preventable diseases, making state-level initiatives crucial.”

Aftermath of the Executive Order

As children updated their vaccinations for school, Trump signed an executive order regarding vaccine recommendations. This order suggested reducing the universally recommended vaccines and splitting the MMR shot, but did not present any new scientific evidence.

Paul Offit, who heads the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, emphasized that the MMR vaccine has been safely administered in the U.S. for about six decades. Manufacturers have stated that there are no plans to separate the vaccine, as doing so would not enhance safety and would only increase the likelihood of missed doctor visits.

This latest executive order represents a continued trend set by Kennedy, noted Offit. He recalled Kennedy’s past claims made on television, asserting that the measles vaccine causes severe side effects. “How can he be so irresponsibly reckless?” questioned Offit, suggesting that Kennedy has acted without fear of repercussions.

Vaccine misinformation has fostered hesitancy, as Racine highlighted. Data from the CDC reveals that kindergarten students claiming vaccine exemptions reached a record high for the 2025-26 school year, while vaccination rates fell from the previous year. Areas with higher hesitancy tend to be more rural, with states that once led in vaccination rates now experiencing declines as they relax exemption rules.

“The last thing parents wanted was confusion over the vaccination schedule or fear of their child contracting measles,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, founder of the advocacy group 3.14 Action. “This is why healthcare professionals are stepping up to combat these dangerous messages.”

State-by-State Response

With the federal government retreating from its role as a trusted source for vaccine guidance, state lawmakers and health departments are increasingly taking on this responsibility.

In the wake of Kennedy’s appointment, numerous state legislators reviewed their vaccine laws, leading many to reject CDC recommendations. Today, 30 states are reportedly relying on alternative sources such as the American Academy of Pediatrics for vaccine information.

Fifteen states have even filed lawsuits against the Trump administration regarding changes to vaccine recommendations and the dismantling of advisory panels at the CDC. Collaborative efforts have begun in regions like the West Coast and Northeast, where states have united to enhance public health preparedness.

Racine noted that clear communication and maintaining access to vaccines are vital for building public trust. Therefore, states are working to confirm standard vaccine schedules, ensure insurance coverage, and launch public service campaigns emphasizing the importance of measles vaccinations.

For instance, Pennsylvania’s health department aims to educate residents about the risks of remaining unvaccinated through engaging resources like videos and infographics. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, leading to an uptick in vaccinations—as seen in August when healthcare providers administered over 46,000 MMR doses compared to around 31,000 the previous year.

Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, likens his approach to that of a family physician by sharing relevant data rather than imposing mandates. He believes individuals should make informed choices based on accurate information.

Green’s drive stems from his experience as a volunteer doctor during Samoa’s tragic 2019 measles outbreak, which claimed numerous young lives after a vaccination scare. He expressed concern over the parallels he sees in current vaccine discourse, suggesting it’s a repeat of past mistakes.

Addressing the Information Void

Healthcare workers are now shouldering the responsibility of countering misinformation, a task many never anticipated.

“Doctors are facing unprecedented challenges, as many have never encountered measles cases before,” stated Jeremy Funk from Protect Our Care. He pointed to the heavy burden now placed on pediatricians and health officials to clarify vaccine safety, a necessity that wasn’t as pressing in earlier years.

In Pennsylvania, some local health departments that were once lacking staff or resources are now stepping up. Partnerships with schools and a mobile health unit are delivering vaccinations directly in community spaces.

Currently, in Delaware County, there’s no noticeable rise in vaccine refusal, but anxiety among parents is evident, especially regarding the sustainability of free vaccine programs amidst fluctuating federal guidance.

“Concerns about future availability are prevalent,” said Werner, referencing outreach efforts to Spanish-speaking families. Pennsylvania’s initiative to publish school-level vaccination rates aims to provide transparency, helping parents and administrators identify areas needing support.

“This is a challenging time for public health amid widespread divisiveness,” said Werner. “Our goal is to ensure everyone, especially the underinsured and undocumented, has access to accurate information to safeguard their health.”