A resurgence of preventable diseases, including whooping cough, is affecting communities across Missouri and Kansas, raising urgent questions about childhood vaccinations. As parents weigh concerns and seek reliable information, the choice to vaccinate holds the power to protect vulnerable loved ones and build a safer, healthier future for entire communities. 

Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows whooping cough cases have surged, with 17,579 cases reported as of October 2024—a stark increase from 3,260 cases during the same period in 2023. In Missouri, the rate of whooping cough cases jumped from 0.97 per 100,000 people in 2021 to 6.89 per 100,000 in 2023, totaling 810 cases. Kansas similarly saw an increase, with rates rising from 0.11 to 4.51 cases per 100,000. This dramatic uptick underscores the vulnerability of unvaccinated populations and the urgency of vaccination efforts.  

Shifting Perceptions

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to declining childhood vaccination rates nationwide. A 2023 CDC report highlights a drop in immunization that could reverse decades of progress against preventable diseases. Missouri’s kindergarten vaccination rates have mirrored this trend, reaching their lowest levels since 2017, as reported by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS). 

Vaccines have historically been essential in preventing serious illnesses like measles, mumps, and polio. Missouri and Kansas require vaccines, including DTaP, MMR, and hepatitis B, for children entering school or day care. However, the COVID-19 pandemic intensified public skepticism, with rural residents more likely than urban residents to question vaccine necessity and safety. Research from the University of Missouri shows that, after 2020, vaccination rates fell significantly across Missouri and Kansas. In these rural areas, vaccine hesitancy can present complex challenges, making targeted outreach essential. 

Barriers and Health Disparities in Rural Communities

In rural Missouri and Kansas, unique barriers to vaccination persist. Cultural beliefs and historical skepticism toward vaccines are pronounced in these areas, where families place greater trust in local traditions over medical advice. Geographic isolation and socioeconomic challenges also limit access to routine care, making regular vaccinations harder to maintain. According to the MDHSS, these factors have led to decreased vaccination rates in some rural areas. 

Health experts emphasize that these disparities result in limited, often uncoordinated health care access for rural families. Dr. Simon Craddock Lee, chair of the Department of Population Health at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, describes rural health disparities as stemming from “fewer providers, clinics, and hospitals” that serve these communities. The lack of coordinated care, coupled with barriers like transportation and limited insurance coverage, affects families’ ability to vaccinate their children consistently. 

When families forgo vaccinations, the risk of preventable diseases rises, impacting entire communities. In Missouri, recent increases in whooping cough cases demonstrate how quickly vaccine-preventable diseases can reemerge. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, while most Americans view childhood vaccines favorably, a growing minority expresses concerns about the side effects and necessity, particularly in rural areas, where 21% of residents are more skeptical about vaccines compared to 8% in urban areas. 

Vaccination decisions ripple outward, influencing the health of families and communities alike, especially those with vulnerable loved ones. For the MacLeod family in Kansas, vaccination hesitancy had tragic consequences. Their 65-year-old grandmother, living in assisted care, was exposed to unvaccinated grandchildren soon after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. She soon contracted COVID-19 and, being immunocompromised, couldn’t recover. The family lost her to a preventable illness. 

For Cortney Hall, a mother from Olathe, Kansas, vaccinating her 11-year-old son, Jay, who has type 1 diabetes, was a protective choice. Initially hesitant, Hall found reassurance after her doctor at Children’s Mercy Hospital explained that Jay’s diabetes made him particularly susceptible to severe illness. “Knowing Jay is protected gives me peace of mind,” Hall shared. “Vaccines are one of the best ways I can keep him safe.”

Health Over Hesitation

Some families worry about potential vaccine side effects, but data reveals that the risks of contracting diseases far outweigh the minimal side effects of vaccines. For example, measles is highly contagious and can lead to complications like pneumonia, brain swelling, or even death. The CDC notes that one in two children out of every 1,000 who contract measles will die, with more facing severe complications. In contrast, severe reactions to the measles vaccine are rare, occurring in fewer than one in a million doses. Similarly, whooping cough poses a serious risk to infants, with half of all cases in babies requiring hospitalization, according to the CDC. 

Missouri and Kansas health departments are committed to addressing vaccine hesitancy through respectful education and community outreach. Programs aim to provide transparent information to dispel misconceptions. Research from the Missouri Foundation for Health emphasizes that trust-building efforts, particularly in high-hesitancy areas, are essential. The Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department has organized educational events at community centers, schools, and health fairs to make vaccine information accessible and reliable.

Similarly, the Mid America Immunization Coalition (MAIC) works with schools and clinics to promote immunization awareness. These initiatives create trusted sources of information, helping families make vaccination decisions based on facts, not fear. 

Long-term solutions for increasing vaccination rates in rural Missouri and Kansas involve policy changes, community partnerships, and accessible technology. Mobile vaccination units have been successful in neighboring areas, providing rural families with local access to vaccines. Funding for these programs, as well as expanded telehealth services, helps bridge access gaps, while digital reminders aid families in keeping up with vaccination schedules.

Community partnerships also strengthen vaccination efforts. Collaborations with schools, churches, and local organizations provide trusted spaces for families to learn more about vaccines and address their concerns. In some Kansas communities, for instance, schools have partnered with health departments to host vaccination events alongside other school activities, making it easier for families to vaccinate their children.

Visit the CDC for children, adolescent, and adult vaccine schedules.