Canada has officially lost its measles elimination status, a result of declining childhood vaccination rates. This event could serve as a warning for the U.S., which is also at risk of losing its measles-free status amidst rising anti-vaccine and anti-science sentiments. Anti-vaccine activists, once marginalized, are becoming more prominent, especially with figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in leading roles.
At a recent event, Mark Gorton emphasized the need for a stronger anti-vaccine stance, highlighting strategies to embed doubt about vaccines within communities and influence public policy. An Associated Press investigation identified several groups linked to Kennedy pushing anti-science legislation, with a primary focus on vaccines, along with issues like raw milk and fluoride.
Most of the recent 420 anti-science bills mainly target vaccine exemptions and protections for those refusing vaccines, with some claiming mRNA vaccines are “bioweapons.” While not all bills succeed, their mere introduction could shift public opinion, leading to a chain reaction of additional legislation that fosters confusion about the scientific consensus.
The rise of anti-science bills, particularly since the pandemic, is alarming. A study noted that in 2023 alone, 376 anti-vaccine bills were introduced, with a significant majority sponsored by Republican lawmakers, revealing a growing trend in the normalization of contentious health debates.
