A History of Vaccine & Anti-Vaxxers
Retired drug regulator and medical historian Anthony C. Cartwright tells the story of the anti-vaxxers, starting with objections by ‘Anti-Vacks’ to Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccine in the early 19th century, and then a propaganda war waged by the Anti-Compulsory Vaccination League and its successor from 1853 to 1972.
There was political lobbying and demonstrations across Britain against compulsory smallpox vaccination for children. Parents who refused to have their children treated were fined and even went to prison. The campaign spread to America and there were links to many countries.
Andrew Wakefield’s fraudulent 1998 scientific paper linking MMR vaccine to autism fuelled the fire for the anti- vaxxers and caused an epidemic of measles cases in children. Although modern Covid-19 vaccines were thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy, anti-vaccine sentiment came to a head again. Demonstrators marched in cities round the world carrying signs protesting government policies, and this book looks at the websites which proliferated on the Internet, bearing false witness about dangers.
Lessons can be learned from history to mitigate vaccine hesitancy and mistrust, and to ensure all ethnic groups and sections of society receive the healthcare they deserve.
Hardback £25.00 (pre-order discount price £20.00)