Parents in Michigan Delaying Childhood Vaccination Due to Safety Concerns
- by Rishma Parpia
- Published
- Environment
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in partnership with Michigan based I Vaccinate campaign, conducted a statewide survey in spring 2025 of parents with children under the age of six. The survey found that while most Michigan parents keep their children up to date on routine vaccinations, those who fall behind are most often refusing COVID-19 shots and influenza vaccines. Among parents whose children are not fully vaccinated, nearly half said they delayed or skipped vaccination due to concerns about safety and adverse effects.1
Ryan Malosh, PhD, division director at the MDHHS, said the data reveals two key trends: most parents continue to vaccinate their children, but a growing number are expressing concerns and choosing alternative vaccination schedules. He suggested that changing and unclear recommendations may be contributing to this shift.2
Many Reasons Cited for Skipping Vaccines
The MDHHS recently partnered with a marketing firm to conduct a statewide survey examining parental attitudes toward childhood vaccination. The survey, which included responses from around 840 Michigan based parents with at least one child under the age of six, found that 81 percent reported their child was up to date on routine vaccines and boosters. Among those who were behind, about half said the delay was not intentional. For those who had purposefully skipped vaccinations, the COVID shots were the most commonly avoided (54 percent), followed by the influenza (38 percent), chickenpox (24 percent), RSV antibody (22 percent), and the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (19 percent).3
When asked why they delayed or skipped vaccines, many parents cited concerns about potential side effects and long-term impacts. Open-ended responses included fears about autism, negative long-term health consequences, immediate allergic reactions, and general distrust of vaccine ingredients and pharmaceutical companies. Others pointed to logistical barriers such as scheduling conflicts, transportation issues, insurance problems, or the need to find a new doctor. Several also mentioned personal beliefs that led them to space out vaccines beyond the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended childhood vaccine schedule.4
Health Professionals Most Trusted Sources of Vaccine information
Most parents who participated in the survey reported getting their news primarily from social media, but identified healthcare professionals as their most trusted sources for information on childhood vaccines. Other highly trusted sources included scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Ryan Malosh, and the CDC.5
Roughly 36 percent of parents said they had changed a vaccine decision based on new information. Many expressed concerns about side effects or broader skepticism toward vaccines, particularly the COVID shots. Some respondents shared beliefs that vaccines are unnecessary, profit-driven, or potentially harmful.6
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