Minnesota vaccination rates drop over Parent concerns

(St. Paul, MN) -- Vaccination rates among Minnesota's children are dropping as parents voice concerns about the safety of shots.

Health officials say parental hesitancy surrounding the COVID-19 vaccination has moved into concern about other common immunizations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday that measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations among Minnesota kindergarteners hit a decade low in the 2021-2022 school year.

Officials with the American Academy of Pediatrics are cautioning parents that weaker vaccination numbers are leading to more measles outbreaks in Minnesota and other states.