Historically among the highest vaccinated states, Mississippi's rates start to slip

By Katia Riddle

Published September 16, 2025 at 4:07 AM EDT

Mississippi has historically had some of the highest vaccination rates in the U.S. But that number is slipping amid a wider trend of declining childhood vaccination rates across the country.

Health & Safety

Katia Riddle

Katia Riddle is a correspondent at NPR covering mental health. She has reported extensively on the impact of events such as Hurricane Helene, Los Angeles wildfires and the loneliness epidemic. Prior to her current role, she covered public health including reproductive rights and homelessness. She won a 2024 Gracie Award for a series on reproductive rights.

Support quality journalism, like the story above,
with your gift right now.

Donate

Historically among the highest vaccinated states, Mississippi's rates start to slip

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

Support quality journalism, like the story above,
with your gift right now.