Vaccination Destination

Vaccines are crucial for children and adults to prevent highly communicable diseases. Vaccines inject attenuated bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens into the body in order for antibodies to be built up against the disease. Therefore, when a greater strand attempts to invade the host, there is less likely hood for it to be able to take residence in your child. All parents want to protect their kids; even anti-vax parents. Yet, so many of them continue to believe that vaccines cause more harm than they do good and that is where this misconception begins.

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Maryland, the George Washington University, and Johns Hopkins University, looked into the various advertisements for anti-vaccine and pro-vaccine contributors. The researchers discovered that although the percentage of ads against vaccines was similar to those promoting vaccinations with 47% and 53% respectively, the anti-vaccine efforts were more organized with unified messages. Additionally, they were distributed by 2 groups funded by private individuals, the World Mercury Project and Stop Mandatory Vaccination. This is interesting because most people believe the anti-vax movement is driven by parents; however, large organizations are also promoting these insane claims.

Parents have come together to support the cause to — kill their children, from preventable diseases by forming various groups and associations to spread their directive and motivation. Social media has been a vital tool in these parents success. However, according to the NCBI article, sites like Facebook, Youtube, Pinterest and Instagram have blocked searches and hashtags for terms like “vaccines” to prevent against health misinformation. Facebook decided to reject ads for hoaxes about vaccines and would not allow for anti-vax groups to form. All of these changes have significantly improved the spreading of incorrect information on social media platforms, but those who are truly committed are able to find ways around these new policies.