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Anti-Immunization Propaganda

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One of the most significant achievements in medical history is the immunization of people against infectious diseases by the application of vaccines. The immunization drive is a serious and conscious effort by the administration to protect populations from the effect of specific diseases which kill millions of people. Vaccines developed by medical experts are considered a very important step in preventative medicine to prevent infection and the spread of specific diseases. The basic objective of immunization is to develop resistance in humans against deadly diseases and reduce the morbidity factors and in some cases eradicate the diseases by developing herd immunity through vaccination. However, the opposition to the immunization process has always been there whenever any vaccine is introduced to the general population. Activists against immunization have taken various positions, including anti-immunization propaganda and the formation of anti-vaccination groups in different parts of the world.

Why Do People Oppose Vaccines?

There have always been some apprehensions and confusion attached to the application of vaccines for immunization purposes. A section of people raise their voices against the vaccination process and get along with people who are not aware of the benefits of the vaccine or are misguided by superstitious or religious beliefs. The immunization process is not readily accepted by a group of people due to the following reasons: 

  • Lack of trust in new medical inventions 
  • Politically motivated opposition to government initiatives
  • Additional cost factors especially for poor people
  • Superstition and religious beliefs about diseases
  • Apprehension and fear about the unknown side-effects of the vaccine

The anti-immunization propaganda tries to create a perception that vaccines can cause more harm than benefits to the health of children and adults. As a result of such activities, the immunization programs were not carried out smoothly and successfully in various parts of the world. This has affected the development of herd immunity in society as a part of global immunization initiatives.

The History of Anti-Immunization Propaganda:

The history of opposition to immunization programs started in the eighties with the protest against the smallpox vaccine in England and the United States and then continued to other parts of the world to generate more controversies and propaganda.

The smallpox immunization drive began in the early 1800s, but the smallpox vaccination was not acceptable to some parents because it caused scoring the flesh on a child’s arm, thus inducing fear and protest. Many of them were suspicious about the effectiveness of the vaccine in controlling smallpox. Some people also opposed it as they believed that smallpox resulted from some atmospheric changes and could not be cured. A group of people denied being vaccinated because they believed it was against their liberty. To address all these controversies and protests, the government introduced mandatory vaccine policies considering the overall benefit to society and the nation. 

At the end of the 19th century, the United States faced smallpox outbreaks that led to a vaccination drive and simultaneously generated anti-immunization campaigns. The American anti-immunization propaganda to stop vaccination even led to court battles. Court gave the ruling in the state’s favor and instructed the government to implement compulsory regulations and enact laws in this regard to put an end to any type of anti-immunization activities. 

Many research studies were carried out but none of the experts has found a link between the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism problems developed in children or adults.

Important Points About Anti-Immunization Propaganda

The protestors of immunization formed the Anti Vaccination Society of America in 1879. In 1998, a protest came from a British doctor named Andrew Wakefield, who alleged possible connections between the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism problem in children.
The anti-immunization activity against the smallpox vaccine started in the mid-1800s, following the development of vaccines by Edward Jenner to protect children from smallpox.

The Impact of Anti-Immunization Propaganda

Anti-immunization activists are generally involved in spreading misinformation about the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing serious diseases. They try to shift the focus of people from the benefit of immunization to creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty about it. Even many well-known public figures supported the anti-immunization propaganda and expressed their views in favor of that. Such people have a strong influence and sometimes use public media platforms to establish their personal views on health care and immunization. When powerful persons join hands with a section of people to promote the anti-vaccination movement, they harm society, especially the young children who need to be protected and assured of healthy lives. Social media is one of the primary sources for fueling the anti-immunization movement. 

Social media has become the most widely used channel of communication and can connect with numerous people through real-time exchange of information but not checking the authenticity. In every society, some people enjoy and indulge themselves in controversies. Social media has allowed the creation of coalitions of such like-minded people which also led to the strengthening of anti-immunization propaganda. Intellectuals in many countries are now urging social media companies to take action against the misuse of social media platforms by people for spreading non-factual propaganda claims about the vaccination and mass immunization initiatives taken by the administration.         

Conclusion:

The aim of vaccination is to ensure a safe and healthy lifestyle for the public and prevent them from getting infected by any communicable disease. Vaccination is not legally mandatory and an individual is free to choose whether to avail of it. But the campaigns against vaccination adversely influence the decision-making of people. Citizens must appreciate that vaccination is not only crucial for individual safety but also contribute effectively to developing herd immunity of the society against deadly diseases. An effective way to convince people about the benefit of vaccination and immunization is to create public awareness through more campaigns. But the best way would be the demonstration by politicians, celebrities, public figures, Influencers as well as doctors by taking the jab himself/herself to show that there would be no harmful effect and that people should not pay attention to that anti-immunization propaganda.


Last Updated : 27 May, 2022
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