Researchers from Emory University and the CDC found that only 35% to 40% of pregnant and new parents plan to fully vaccinate their children. In other news: A shortened drug regimen for drug-resistant TB shows some promise; Farm pesticides might be causing rheumatoid arthritis; and more.[KFF Health News]

Majority Of US Pregnant Women Don’t Plan To Fully Vaccinate Kids: Survey

Only 35% to 40% of US pregnant women and parents of young children say they intend to fully vaccinate their child, per survey results from researchers at Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For the two surveys, published as a research letter this week in JAMA Network Open, the investigators recruited 174 pregnant women and 1,765 parents from a nationally representative panel in April 2024 to answer questions about their intent to have their child receive all recommended vaccines by 18 months.

"Many parents in the US choose to delay or refuse vaccines that are recommended for their child from birth to age 18 months," the study authors wrote. "Research is necessary to understand the value of intervening during pregnancy to proactively support parents with vaccination decisions before the birth of the child, as implementation of such interventions will require substantial engagement of health care professionals and entities outside of the pediatric care setting."

More> 

###