Influences oN The Anti Vaccination Movement, Explained

By: Myka Ollison November 4, 2018

Junior from Philly that occasionally writes

How does understanding of hesitation & delay help explain why some people do not vaccinate their children? Can someone be anti-vaccination but still vaccinate their children and themselves?

You'd be surprised what role hesitation plays as well as tradition, religion and even the lack of resources and insurance. What about the role of social media in the anti-vaccination community? There are statistics on how people lack follow up vaccines and will limit what vaccines they schedule. If we keep improving the research on diseases and vaccinations, without the power of the media would this movement still exist? Would people still hesitate to do follow ups and vaccines? Or, would they find vaccines safe and trust doctors?

In Philadelphia, PA , the most recent vaccine requirements for all grades are Tetanus, Polio, Chickenpox, Hepatitis B and Measles. There is a goal to support and provide outreach to make sure everyone is protected from outbreaks of these diseases. The idea of being hesitant to get your child vaccinated is everywhere but children in Philadelphia are required to have a certain vaccines in order for them to show up for school which leads to other consequences.

Pennsylvaina Data for vaccination outbreaks , 2013

CHOP Hospital in Philadelphia, PA

CAUSES OF Hesitation

Two of the main reasons and influences on the anti vaccination movement are:

Vaccines may lead to autism

Repeatedly there have been studies trying to prove that vaccines lead to autism and they have all been in some shape or form flawed. The vaccine that receives the most blame for autism is the MMR vaccine but again not only are studies "flawed" but they show other autism triggers can be genetics, abnormalities in the nervous system , natural infections and having the measles virus itself.

Part of the illness is in the vaccine and will cause the patient to have it some time later.

Flu shots are one of the main vaccines that are being avoided around the country because often times people will get the vaccine and still end up with the flu. In Philadelphia , many get this shot annually because of the resources, such as free flu shots all around the city even for walk in patients. The truth is there are different flu vaccines designed every year for different age groups , as well as different strains of the flu.

The role of fake news in the Anti-vaccination movement

The idea of fake news plays a giant role in some of this country's biggest problems. Does fake news also play a role in who gets vaccinated? Take a look at some of the social media posts that support families who do not vaccinate their children:

popular anti vaccine communities on facebook

While these groups provide support, false information is spread easily on social media.

The backlash against anti-vaccination in our communities

There is an abundance of backlash towards a parent that is not vaccinating their child. Are you one thinks, How could you do that to your child?" Or, maybe you know the dangers of opting out of vaccinations and you say something like, "It's selfish to put your child in danger along with everyone else." You might worry about anti-vaxxers and see them as dangerous, unreasonable and a threat to people who do vaccinate their child. As a parent who DOES vaccinate their child, it probably seems unreasonable because of the resources and benefits and era and time we live in.

Is there a better way to address the anti-vaccinators in our community than with this kind of backlash? What if we could come to an understanding that they are scared and want to be heard?