Dr. Aasim Padela Comments on Distrust in Vaccinations
Measles vaccination rates have seen a decrease following a focus on COVID-19. Measles continues to become more prevalent in the United States despite the CDC claiming it was eliminated in 2000.
Dr. Aasim Padela, professor of Emergency Medicine, notes that the stigma against vaccinations has to do with social concerns. He says those social concerns can center around a history of racism, especially with members of the larger African American community. Vaccination avoidance continues to decline in religious or private schools and communities. Dr. Padela encourages public health leaders to engage these communities in direct conversation to improve vaccination rates.