As reported by The Hill, public health advocates are have become increasingly alarmed by former President Trump’s anti-vaccine rhetoric. Recently, at a Richmond, VA rally, Trump stated, “I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate or a mask mandate.”

Although Trump’s campaign says he is only referring to school COVID-19 vaccine mandates, many are concerned that it will morph into a wider ranging movement against vaccines, thus putting children in danger in light of a trend in of declining child vaccination. Such fears are expressed by Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician and vaccine expert at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). In addition, health officials are keeping a wary eye on measles, which had been held at bay through effective vaccinations.

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