Child vaccination decisions reflect public health trust issues

A parent and statistician describes uncertainty about routine childhood vaccines after recent CDC recommendation changes, and reports public trust in U.S. public health fell from 72 percent to 40 percent over five years.

I had a baby in August and describe ongoing uncertainty about which routine vaccines to give. I followed most standard guidance but later felt anxious after the CDC changed recommendations for the rotavirus vaccine shortly after my child received it. The author identifies as a statistician and says the larger issue is a loss of public trust in public health institutions, which she ties in part to the COVID response. She reports that many recommended childhood vaccines remain important while also calling for public health bodies to acknowledge past failings. Key points: - The author is a parent and statistician who describes personal doubt and back-and-forth decision-making about infant vaccinations. - She reports vaccinating her child and notes the CDC changed its rotavirus guidance about ten days after her child received that vaccine. - The piece cites a reported drop in public trust in U.S. public health from 72 percent to 40 percent over five years and links that decline to the COVID-era response. - The author says most recommended childhood vaccines remain important, and she urges that public health institutions acknowledge faults and work to restore trust. Summary: The author reports that shifting guidance and past public health missteps have left many parents feeling uncertain and mistrustful, even when they seek evidence-based decisions. Undetermined at this time.