The anti-vax phenomenon

Following Josh Loeb’s editorial ‘Don’t let the anti-vaxers win’ ( VR , 25 May 2019, vol 184, p 629), we provide further information on the ‘anti-vax’ phenomenon. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers vaccine hesitancy to be one of the top 10 risks to global public health.1 Vaccine hesitancy or refusal refers to people delaying, or not getting, recommended vaccines for various reasons, including complacency, not understanding the disease risks, not knowing vaccines are available, fear of needles, inconvenience and cost. Most people who do not get vaccinations for …