Disease Makes a Come Back

Mridhula Kumaravel, Staffer

May 16, 2025

Diseases once thought to be gone—like measles and polio—are coming back. These illnesses were previously under control thanks to widespread vaccination programs such as the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the Measles & Rubella Initiative, the Expanded Programme on Immunization, and the Vaccines for Children Program. But in recent years, cases have been rising again, both in the U.S. and globally. Health experts warn that we are at risk of losing decades of progress in disease prevention because fewer people are choosing to vaccinate.

Vaccination rates, especially among children, have been steadily declining. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), national childhood immunization coverage dropped from 95% to 93% between 2019 and 2022. While not a seemingly big difference, even small drops in immunization can weaken herd immunity: the protection we get when most of a population is vaccinated. When herd immunity weakens, diseases can spread quickly, especially among infants, elderly people, and those who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons.

One major cause of declining vaccination rates is misinformation. Anti-vaccine conspiracy theories have gained traction, especially online. Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Jr., an environmental lawyer and political figure, is a prominent source of this misinformation. According to US News and World Report, RFK Jr. has falsely linked vaccines to autism and promoted the idea that vaccine science is corrupt. No credible scientific evidence does not supports these claims, but they have been widely shared, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. As public trust in vaccines wavers, more people are opting out, leading to lower immunization rates and increasing the risk of outbreaks.

The impact of falling vaccination rates is already visible:
- In 2023, global measles cases increased by over 30%
- The U.S. saw measles outbreaks in under-vaccinated communities in states like Ohio and New York.
- In 2022, poliovirus, which can cause paralysis, was found in New York wastewater, marking its return to the U.S. for the first time in decades. These diseases can be fatal or cause lifelong complications, especially in children. Before vaccines, measles killed hundreds each year in the U.S. Polio left many permanently disabled. Without high vaccination coverage, these diseases have the chance to spread again.

Vaccines protect more than just the people who get them—they protect entire communities. This is known as herd immunity. When enough people are vaccinated, diseases have fewer chances to spread. But when vaccine coverage drops, herd immunity breaks down. This puts people at risk who cannot receive vaccines, like newborns, people undergoing chemotherapy, or those with immune disorders. Reversing the decline in vaccine uptake is crucial to keep these dangerous diseases in the past.

To stop the return of deadly diseases, vaccine misinformation must be fought with facts and science. Vaccines go through years of testing before they are approved. They are safe, effective, and save millions of lives each year. Public health experts and doctors overwhelmingly support vaccination as one of the most important tools to prevent disease. Getting vaccinated protects not just an individual, but also the most vulnerable members of an individual’s community. Trust credible sources like the CDC, World Health Organization, and healthcare providers, not viral social media posts. The fight against disease starts with the truth.

Works cited

The Liberator