INDIANAPOLIS Childhood vaccination rates continue to decline nationwide, a trend that is reflected in Marion County, according to public health officials.

Melissa McMasters, a nurse with the Marion County Public Health Department, said growing vaccine hesitancy is a major concern.

Even on the national scale, theres a lot of negativity around the vaccine right now, McMasters said. Were trying to go back to the basics and explain how important vaccines are, what they do, and how they work. As we go out into the community and are more available, were starting to see more clients come in.

According to the Indiana Department of Health, 86% of kindergarteners across the state met immunization requirements for the 202425 school year. In Marion County, that number was 80%.

Partly because of th

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