Georgia’s vaccination rates have declined significantly, placing the state near the bottom nationally according to a new WalletHub study. The report shows Georgia ranks 48th out of 51 states for vaccination coverage.
CDC data indicates that only 86.8% of children entering kindergarten in Georgia in 2024 were fully up-to-date on required vaccines, a decrease from 94% ten years ago. Earlier this year, the state experienced a measles outbreak among unvaccinated children, despite measles being declared eradicated decades ago. Georgia’s exemption rate has increased to 4.8%, with most exemptions granted for religious rather than medical reasons.
The WalletHub analysis reviewed vaccination rates across all age groups and found Georgia performed poorly in nearly every category measured. The overall score for Georgia was well below that of the top-ranked state, which scored 81.95.
The survey considered more than just COVID-19 and flu vaccinations; it included common immunizations for both young children and adults. Sixteen key metrics were used, drawing on data from organizations such as the CDC, U.S. Census Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, and Kaiser Family Foundation.
States with higher vaccination coverage are primarily located in the Northeast and Northwest regions of the country, while many Southern states rank low for both child and adult immunizations.
Vaccination has been practiced for over two centuries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccines “prevent sickness and death associated with infectious diseases such as diarrhea, measles, pneumonia, polio and whooping cough.” Vaccines also contribute to improvements in education and economic development. Experts caution that low vaccination rates increase community risk and highlight gaps in public health access.
Despite recent federal changes regarding vaccine policy or distribution, most vaccines remain widely available throughout Georgia.
