Lacie Madison’s experience is becoming more common as today’s schoolchildren age into adulthood. She was recently told that she was barely vaccinated as a child, despite being mostly home-schooled in Montana. This phenomenon is part of a growing trend where parents have delayed or skipped childhood vaccines due to personal or religious reasons.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccination rates are declining, leading to more people aging into adulthood without protection from debilitating diseases. Delaying vaccines can result in long-term consequences and decreased effectiveness as people age.
Several adults who grew up in vaccine-skeptical households shared their experiences. Some did not know they were unprotected until enlisting in the military or healthcare fields, which require proof of immunity. Others chose to get vaccinated after turning 18 and confided in mentors or family members.
Lacie Madison’s case highlights the need for increased awareness about vaccination rates and the importance of science-backed information. Her doctor initially scheduled her for a series of vaccinations, which she received without any severe side effects.
Experts attribute falling vaccination rates to misinformation about vaccine safety and effectiveness, accelerated during the pandemic. As a result, more people are facing the consequences of not receiving vaccines, including increased risk of contracting preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough.
The long-term consequences of delaying or skipping vaccines can be devastating. A 26-year-old woman, Emma Sonas, contracted whooping cough as a child and continues to deal with its aftermath. Her mother, Christina, initially distrusted the vaccine system but now trusts science-backed information.
While some parents choose not to vaccinate their children due to personal or religious reasons, experts emphasize that vaccination rates are crucial for herd immunity and public health. As more people age into adulthood without protection from vaccines, it is essential to address the root causes of declining vaccination rates and promote evidence-based information about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Medical specialists warn that vaccines have been so effective in controlling diseases that many people struggle to understand the severity of outbreaks. However, for individuals like Emma Sonas, who contracted a highly contagious disease as a child, the consequences can be life-altering.
As vaccination rates continue to decline, it is crucial to address the concerns and misconceptions surrounding vaccine safety and effectiveness. By promoting science-backed information and increasing awareness about the importance of vaccines, we can work towards reversing the trend and ensuring that everyone has access to protection from debilitating diseases.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/10/05/vaccines-skepticism-childhood-family-impacts