The Independent
· collected 2026-09-15 · by Jason Lange and Yasmeen Abutaleb
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows declining public trust in childhood vaccines for measles in the United States, with only 76% of adults now viewing the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as safe for children, down from 84% two years ago. The country is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in decades, with over 3,000 confirmed cases this year alone, primarily due to reduced vaccination rates. This decline in trust has been most pronounced among Republican voters following statements by party figures who have questioned the importance of vaccines.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted over four days and completed on September 14, revealed that 76% of Americans now believe vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella are safe for children, down from 84% in a similar survey in May 2020. The decline is most notable among Republicans due to some party figures' efforts to minimize the importance of vaccines. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to reduce recommended childhood immunizations from 17 to 11, echoing his health official's stance: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist before being appointed by Trump. This shift is concerning as measles cases are surging in states like Pennsylvania, Utah, and South Carolina, with the U.S. at risk of losing its status as a country that eliminated measles decades ago due to ongoing domestic transmission.
Written for “Measles Vaccine Trust Falling Usa” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
-
Public confidence in vaccines for fatal childhood illnesses such as measles has eroded in the U.S., a new Reuters/Ipsos survey shows, posing a challenge as the country faces its most severe measles surge in decades.
left frames declining vaccine trust as a public health crisis
-
This decline in trust was sharpest among Republicans, following efforts by some party figures to minimize the importance of vaccines.
left attributes declining trust to Republican actions
-
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing a reduction in the recommended federal childhood vaccine schedule from 17 to 11 immunizations.
left criticizes Trump's action on vaccines
-
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine campaigner before Trump appointed him health secretary, has sought to overhaul national policy to reduce recommended pediatric shots.
left describes Kennedy as an 'anti-vaccine campaigner'
-
Just 19% of poll respondents approved of Trump's handling of the outbreak, compared to 52% who disapproved, with others undecided or not responding.
left reports low approval for Trump on vaccine issue
Leaning score -0.40 for article 9910 (high confidence, 5 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-15
Public confidence in vaccines for fatal childhood illnesses such as measles has eroded in the U.S., a new Reuters/Ipsos survey shows, posing a challenge as the country faces its most severe measles surge in decades.
asserted
country → erode → decades
The four-day poll, which concluded on Monday, revealed that most Americans across political lines still support pediatric measles shots.
asserted
Americans → conclude → shots
The disease had been virtually eliminated in the U.S. for over two decades until declining vaccination rates brought it back.
asserted
rates → eliminate → it
About 76% of adults view measles, mumps, and rubella immunizations as safe for children, down from 84% in May 2020.
uncertain
% → view → May
This decline in trust was sharpest among Republicans, following efforts by some party figures to minimize the importance of vaccines.
asserted
decline → follow → vaccines
In August, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing a reduction in the recommended federal childhood vaccine schedule from 17 to 11 immunizations.
asserted
Trump → sign → immunizations
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine campaigner before Trump appointed him health secretary, has sought to overhaul national policy to reduce recommended pediatric shots.
asserted
Trump → appoint → shots
Pennsylvania, Utah, and South Carolina are currently dealing with outbreaks, with Pennsylvania reporting three measles-related deaths recently.
asserted
Pennsylvania → deal → deaths
Nationwide, over 3,000 confirmed cases have been recorded this year, the highest level in 35 years.
asserted
cases → confirm → years
Measles causes fever, rash, and respiratory symptoms and spreads rapidly, but the two-dose MMR vaccine prevents it with 97% effectiveness.
asserted
vaccine → cause → effectiveness
Children typically receive doses at 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years.
asserted
Children → receive → months
CDC data shows MMR coverage among kindergarteners fell to 92.5% last year, short of the 95% threshold needed to maintain herd immunity and protect the community.
asserted
coverage → show → community
Just 19% of poll respondents approved of Trump's handling of the outbreak, compared to 52% who disapproved, with others undecided or not responding.
asserted
others → approve → %
Trump has made few public statements regarding the outbreak, even as the U.S. risks losing its official status as a nation that eliminated measles due to ongoing domestic transmission—a major shift for a country that eradicated the disease decades ago.
asserted
that → make → disease
Registered voters favored Democrats over Republicans by 45% to 25% when asked which party is better suited to handle infectious diseases like measles.
asserted
party → favor → measles
That gap could concern Republicans aiming to retain control of Congress in the November 3 midterms, though public health issues remain secondary to voters.
uncertain
issues → concern → voters
While 31% of voters expressed serious concern about measles, 58% cited the cost of living as a primary worry.
asserted
% → express → worry
Following Pennsylvania's announcement of two deaths last month, Kennedy repeated debunked claims that the MMR shot contains aborted fetal material and questioned measles' role in the fatalities.
uncertain
shot → follow → fatalities
Pennsylvania has since reported a third death.
asserted
Pennsylvania → report → death
The nationwide online Reuters/Ipsos survey polled 1,143 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
asserted
survey → poll → points
The Aporia
