Childhood vaccination rates decline across Europe post-COVID

A new study reports that childhood vaccination rates in Europe, which had risen steadily since the 1980s, have declined in many countries since the COVID-19 crisis. The exact magnitude and causes are not detailed in the source, but the trend suggests a reversal of decades of progress, likely driven by pandemic-related disruptions and vaccine hesitancy. This matters because lower immunization coverage raises the risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases.