Eradicated diseases make a comeback through reinfection and waning immunity
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 84/100
Evidence strongly supports the claim that eradicated or heavily controlled diseases can make a comeback due to a combination of declining vaccination coverage and waning immunity over time.
Evidence for · 7
Modeling Reemergence of Vaccine-Eliminated Infectious Diseases Under Declining Vaccination in the US.
2025 · cited by 28
The study demonstrates that declining vaccination rates risk the reemergence and return to endemicity of previously eliminated infectious diseases.
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More for · 6
Waning immunity and the future of booster vaccination strategies in global vaccine programs post COVID-19.
2026 · cited by 7
Waning immunity is identified as a major global concern for vaccine programs, reducing efficacy across multiple diseases over time.
Resurgence of Vaccine-Preventable Disease
2019 · cited by 6
The resurgence of childhood illnesses once thought to be eradicated is linked to decreased vaccination rates and related factors.
Immunity gap for measles in young adults: Seroprevalence study in blood donors in southern Italy.
2026 · cited by 1
Research notes an increased vulnerability to measles and waning vaccine-derived immunity among young adults following the pandemic.
Sudden pertussis outbreaks in Guro-gu, Seoul: epidemiological characteristics and contributing factors in 2024.
2026 · cited by 0
Outbreaks of pertussis in vaccinated populations suggest that waning immunity contributes to disease resurgence.
Taiwan's Strategy Toward Measles Elimination.
2026 · cited by 0
Sustaining measles elimination faces increasing challenges due to global resurgence and waning vaccine-induced immunity.
Serological Mumps Evaluation of Medical Students in Catalonia (Spain): Is a Third Dose of Vaccine Needed?
2026 · cited by 0
Declining seropositivity over time since the last vaccine dose indicates that waning immunity affects long-term protection against mumps.