Can You Opt Out of School Vaccines?: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

Three line graphs display the dramatic decline in reported cases of diphtheria, polio, and measles in the United States from 1920 to 2019, each showing a sharp drop after the introduction of their respective vaccines. Diphtheria cases fell after 1921, polio after 1955, and measles after 1963, illustrating the impact of mass vaccination programs. An inset highlights an increase in measles cases after 2010.

See All Images and Interactives →

Topics

education vaccine When Did Vaccines Become Mandatory for Schools?Vaccine Mandates: A Timeline teaching 20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future (Education)medical education Distance learning preschool education educational radio higher education special education