Fact vs Fallacy: The Anti-Vaccine Discussion Reloaded
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COMMENTARY
Fact vs Fallacy: The Anti-Vaccine Discussion Reloaded Lucas B. Stolle Giustino Varrassi
. Rohit Nalamasu . Joseph V. Pergolizzi Jr. . . Peter Magnusson . JoAnn LeQuang .
Frank Breve . The NEMA Research Group
Received: August 13, 2020 / Accepted: September 9, 2020 Ó The Author(s) 2020
ABSTRACT In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, antivaccine sentiments have been on the rise, with a recent seminal study on the development of anti-vaccine views in social media even making its way into Nature Communications. Yet, with the current scientific consensus being in
Digital Features To view digital features for this article go to https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.12927965. L. B. Stolle (&) J. V. Pergolizzi Jr. J. LeQuang F. Breve NEMA Research, Inc., Naples, FL, USA e-mail: [email protected] R. Nalamasu Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA G. Varrassi Paolo Procacci Foundation, Rome, Italy P. Magnusson Centre for Research and Development, Uppsala University, Region Ga¨vleborg, Ga¨vle, Sweden P. Magnusson Department of Medicine, Cardiology Research Unit, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden F. Breve Department of Pharmacy Practice, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, PA, USA
overwhelming agreement over the safety and efficacy of vaccines, many scientists lose their grasp on the fears, concerns, and arguments that the opposition may hold. This paper discusses and evaluates vaccine-hesitant individuals on a socioeconomic, historical, and philosophical landscape. It also provides an analysis of common argumentative patterns and the psychological impact that these arguments may have on undecided individuals. The discussion also explores why anti-vaccine sentiments are on the rise, and how members of the scientific and medical community require a more structured approach to communicating key arguments. This is particularly important if vaccination rates and herd immunity are to be sustained. No longer is it sufficient to win arguments based on a factual and scientific basis, but rather scientists and medical practitioners have to focus on conveying confidence and reassurance on both an informative and emotional level to those with doubts and fears.
Keywords: Anti-vaccination movement; COVID19 vaccine; Immunization; Infectious disease; Mass vaccination; Vaccine; Vaccine hesitancy; Vaccination refusal
Adv Ther
Key Summary Points The pro- vs anti-vaccine discussion has gained traction in the light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. In our discussion we review the antivaccine movement in its current state, including associated demographics, argumentative patterns, and putative developments. We provide a discussion on the appeal of anti-vaccine sentiments from a psychological, historical, and philosophical point of view. For physicians and healthcare practitioners we provide valuable approaches to engaging in confrontations with vaccine-hesitant individuals.
DIGITAL FEATURES This article is published with digit
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