The Anti-Vaccine Movement

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Recommended: The debate over vaccinations

The debate on vaccine safety has been gaining popularity among people in the US at a rapidly growing rate. The anti-vaccine movement was once a small and contained to a few questioning and concerned parents joined by a handful of doctors. However, the amount of doctors, naturopaths, and homeopaths joining the anti-vaccine movement has been increasing more over the last few years. The vaccine conversation has become even more popular in the last few months. This directly correlates with the upcoming presidential election as vaccinations have been one of the main discussion topics among candidates. (Benen) Along with the politicians and presidential candidates, there is also a growing list of celebrities who have become outspoken on the controversial …show more content…

Often this movement uses fear tactics to dissuade people from getting vaccinated. As science shows more and more that vaccines are not dangerous and anti-vaccine arguments get debunked, the spokespersons in the anti-vaccine movement become increasingly outspoken on their views and continue to search for other arguments against vaccines. Some anti-vaxxers have gone so far as to say that vaccines could lead to bioterrorism and have caused government and pharmaceutical coverups. (Landsman) Extreme hostility is also shown to people who do not jump aboard this movement. Parents who choose to vaccinate are often ridiculed by the anti-vaccine community members. Even more hostility is shown towards those who were once anti-vaxxers but then changed their stance on vaccines. The fear mongering, hostility shown towards the vaccine community, and the misinformation being spread by the anti-vaccine community is concerning and needs to be …show more content…

It is also thought by some that vaccines are weakening the body's natural immune system. (Six Reasons to Say No to Vaccines) Some people are now using things such as diet changes and homeopathic supplements as vaccine alternatives. While it is true that the body has natural defenses, this argument is dangerous because the less that people vaccinate, the more prone they are to contracting diseases. Due to vulnerable immune systems babies and small children are especially susceptible to diseases such as mumps and measles when vaccinations are delayed or skipped altogether. (The Harm of Skipping Vaccinations or

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