1. Essential Facts for August 5: Democratic maneuver in Texas, Obama investigation, developments in Afghanistan, escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, and an IT worker's deceitful plan
Rising Non-Medical Vaccine Exemptions Pose Health Risks in U.S.
A significant decline in childhood vaccination rates, driven by an increase in non-medical vaccine exemptions, has led to a resurgence of preventable diseases such as measles in the United States.
According to recent reports, around 4.1% of kindergartners were exempted from one or more vaccines during the 2024-25 school year, up from 2.5% in 2020-21[1][3][4]. This corresponds to approximately 138,000 kindergartners exempt from vaccines, with increases seen in 36 states plus Washington D.C., and 17 states reporting exemption rates above 5%. Idaho notably had the highest rate at 15.4%[1][2].
The decline in vaccination coverage, particularly for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), has dropped below the pre-pandemic herd immunity threshold of 95%, with about 92.5% coverage in 2024-25[3]. This erosion of herd immunity increases the risk of outbreaks and severe complications from vaccine-preventable diseases in children who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated[2][3].
Health authorities, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), have called for an end to non-medical vaccine exemptions to protect children in school settings and to combat rising vaccine hesitancy[1][5]. Experts emphasize the need for strong advocacy and effective communication to encourage vaccination, as well as addressing access gaps that may contribute to lower vaccination rates[3].
In other news, Afghanistan is experiencing a surge in child malnutrition, with more than half a billion dollars needed to help the country's most vulnerable families[6]. A handprint discovered on a clay model used for offerings in an Ancient Egyptian tomb is 4,000 years old[7].
In politics, a town hall attendee asked Republican Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska, "How much does it cost for fascism? How much do the taxpayers have to pay for a fascist country?" The crowd erupted in applause[8]. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation into accusations that Obama administration officials manufactured intelligence about Russia's 2016 election interference[9].
Entertainment-wise, the former Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks is recovering from an injury[10]. As the new school year begins, exemptions for vaccinations are also increasing, with most being for non-medical reasons[11].
Finally, CNN's Today's 5 Things AM was edited and produced by Andrew Torgan[12]. CNN also reported the discovery of the extremely elusive Barbados threadsnake, the world's smallest known snake[13].
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2022-06/slides-06-02-thursday/03-Grijalva-Vaccine-Exemptions.pdf [2] https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/pages/Measles-Outbreaks-Continue-to-Rise.aspx [3] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/grade/mmr.html [4] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/related-resources/exemptions.html [5] https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Calls-for-End-to-Non-Medical-Vaccine-Exemptions.aspx [6] https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/press-releases/unicef-unodc-and-wfp-launch-joint-appeal-help-afghanistan-s-most-vulnerable-families [7] https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/4000-year-old-handprint-discovered-ancient-egyptian-tomb-004310 [8] https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/25/nebraska-gop-town-hall-fascism-00029832 [9] https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/25/pam-bondi-russia-investigation-00029700 [10] https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/stevie-nicks-is-recovering-from-an-injury-amid-fleetwood-mac-reunion-tour/ar-AA16JXrR [11] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/related-resources/exemptions.html [12] https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/22/media/cnn-todays-5-things-am-edition-07-22-22/index.html [13] https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/22/world/barbados-threadsnake-discovery/index.html
- The erosion of herd immunity caused by increasing non-medical vaccine exemptions in the United States has raised concerns in education-and-self-development and health-and-wellness sectors due to the resurgence of preventable diseases.
- Science and technology are currently not impacted by the rising non-medical vaccine exemptions, but health authorities urge strong advocacy and effective communication to counteract vaccine hesitancy and ensure children's health.
- Meanwhile, advancements in science unearthed a 4,000-year-old handprint in an Ancient Egyptian tomb, signifying the fascinating discoveries in the realm of archaeology.
- The general-news world witnessed an intriguing confrontation during a political town hall when a question about the cost of fascism was met with applause, signifying the ongoing debates in U.S. politics.
- The finance sector is under investigation to clarify accusations that intelligence about Russia's election interference in 2016 was manipulated, demonstrating the importance of accountability in the political realm.
- Meanwhile, lifestyle and entertainment also take center stage, as the former Fleetwood Mac singer, Stevie Nicks, recovers from an injury, and CNN reports the discovery of the elusive Barbados threadsnake—the world's smallest known snake.
