Vaccine hesitancy

Reports show that Missouri has a 5.20% MMR vaccine exemption rate as of 2024, up from 3.5% in 2023.

The Missouri Immunization Coalition was a non-profit that focused on advocacy, education and training around vaccines. Funding cuts to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in April led to a loss of funding for the group and they were forced to shutter in summer 2025.

Public health experts say lingering skepticism and controversy surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine have fueled hesitancy toward other immunizations.