1 in 4 Americans doubt kids' measles vaccine safety

By the numbers: About 76% of Americans believe vaccines that protect against measles, mumps and rubella are safe for kids, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.

• That's down 8 percentage points from a May 2020 poll asking the same question.
• Republicans mainly drove the drop, with 9.1% more now saying the vaccine isn't safe. Among Democrats, 0.4% trust the vaccine less, and among independents, 5.8% say the same.

Catch up quick: Four measles-associated deaths have been reported in Pennsylvania in the past month, health officials say.

• The two people whose deaths were reported Tuesday were unvaccinated, as were the previous two, Pennsylvania Department of Health reports found.
• The department has confirmed 693 measles cases in 38 counties thus far in 2026.
• The CDC has reported 3,294 confirmed U.S. measles cases in 2026, according to data last updated Sept. 11.

Context: The two-dose MMR vaccine for children boosts the immune system and provides 97% lifetime protection, the Pennsylvania DOH reports.

• Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious short- and long-term health problems, including pneumonia and brain swelling.
• Nearly 20% of people infected with measles are hospitalized.

Zoom in: The Trump administration dramatically overhauled the nation's childhood vaccine schedule earlier this year, slashing the number of vaccines recommended for children to 11 from 18.

• The administration continues to recommend measles, mumps and rubella immunizations for all children, but Trump's latest policy calls for splitting the combined MMR vaccine into individual shots once those products are available.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics said the changes were implemented without a thorough review and could confuse parents and clinicians.
• Months later, 6 in 10 Americans said they trust the government's vaccination recommendations for children, down from 71% in June 2025, according to the Axios-Ipsos American Health Index. Roughly 70% have little or no trust in health information from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy.

What they're saying: "The decline in childhood vaccination rates began years before this Administration took office," a Health and Human Services spokesperson told Axios.

• "COVID-era lockdowns, mandates, and inconsistent public health guidance eroded many Americans' trust in public health institutions and vaccines. This Administration is rebuilding that trust through transparency, accountability, and evidence-based public health."
• "Secretary Kennedy has repeatedly stated that MMR vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles infection."
• HHS says the CDC helped Texas, South Carolina, Virginia, Kansas, New Mexico and Wisconsin bring measles outbreaks under control after those states requested federal support. Pennsylvania has not requested the same on-the-ground CDC assistance, despite repeated offers, the department said.

The bottom line: Broader vaccine hesitancy has been growing for years as Trump and Kennedy have repeatedly cast doubt on vaccine efficacy and safety.

• The decline in trust in government vaccine policy is concentrated among Democrats, who say the changes are being made by Trump appointees rather than career scientists, per Axios' survey. Trust has also slid among independents.

Go deeper: Axios-Ipsos poll: Americans distrust Trump vaccine policies