Vaccine hesitancy nationwide is a public health concern. A recent poll completed by Bowling Green State University provides visibility to Ohioans opinions regarding childhood immunizations. Additionally, vaccine completion data from Partners for Kids (PFK) provides further insight into immunization rates over time.

The Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics recently commissioned Bowling Green State University Democracy and Public Policy Research Network to complete a poll regarding Ohioans opinions on childhood immunizations. The poll surveyed 800 registered voters in October of 2025. Results revealed that 86% of respondents believe routine vaccines as safe or very safe for children and 87% think it is important or very important that children get vaccinated. Specifically, 83% and 85% of respondents indicated they were confident or very confident in the safety of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and polio vaccine, respectively. Only 43% of respondents felt confident or very confident in the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine.¹

Partners for Kids (PFK) vaccination data from January 2021 to January 2026 reveal that the average vaccination rates of children across Ohio counties remain relatively stable for most childhood vaccines. Vaccination completion rates of hepatitis A and B, inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), varicella (VZV), and measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) remain above 80%. The rate of influenza vaccination has decreased substantially from 45.2% in January of 2021 to 16.2% in January of 2026.

Adolescent vaccination rates also remain stable currently. The immunizations for adolescents (IMA) metric requires one meningococcal vaccine, one Tdap vaccine, and completion of the HPV series by the 13^th birthday. Meningococcal and Tdap immunization rates continue to hover around 76 to 78%. The IMA metric is impacted significantly by low HPV series completion. In January 2021 an average rate of series completion was 36% and continues to remain low through January of 2026 with an average of 33% of adolescents completing the HPV series by their 13^th birthday.

While trust is still demonstrated for vaccines and routine childhood vaccination rates are currently stable in our Medicaid population, continued efforts to promote these vaccines with focuses on HPV and influenza are still needed. 

Resources

1. Southworth, H. New Poll Reveals Public Opinion on Immunizations. American Academy of Pediatrics, Ohio Chapter. 2026; 01. Accessed at ohioaap.org. https://ohioaap.org/new-poll-reveals-public-opinion-on-immunizations/