School Vaccination: Past, Present, Future

The arrival of COVID-19 in the US during the spring of 2020 cast a spotlight on the issue of vaccinations and their efficacy. School closures and school vaccination policies were among the most contentious arenas of debate as parents, teachers, and policymakers wrestled with how best to respond to the pandemic. Disease in school is not a new topic—our nation has previously faced outbreaks of influenza, polio, measles, and more. A look at the past can teach us much about how to understand the passionate, and sometimes partisan, views about school vaccination. Outside of schools, the anti-vax movement has enjoyed greater visibility and support even as public health officials emphasize the importance of herd immunity and broad vaccinations. The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary in February of this year makes it likely that the issues of school vaccination and immunization policy will continue to be vigorously debated.