A sudden increase in the anti-vaccine movement has moved businesses and countries to create consequences to those without vaccinations.
The main belief of those who choose not to vaccinate their children is under the false claim that vaccines cause autism. There have been multiple studies that have proven this claim to be false, and that there is no connection between vaccinations and autism. This group of people are known as anti-vaxxers, are against vaccines.
PV senior Ethan Croll shared his opinion on Twitter regarding those who choose to follow the anti-vaccine movement. “You’re either born with a disability or not. Either way, it’s more beneficial to raise a kid with autism or any disability for that matter than to not vaccinate your kid, putting them at risk of death,” he wrote.
Due to the increase in number of anti-vaxxers, there have been reports of outbreaks of measles, which were announced as eliminated in 2000. This comeback of measles has affected 23 states with over 700 cases. The majority of those affected by measles were those without vaccinations.
While this outbreak has occurred in the United States, it is also escalating in Western Europe. The high level of threat on society has brought upon calls of banning those without vaccinations. Germany is currently undergoing the process of passing a law that fines those without vaccinations.
The new law in Germany would include a fine of $2,800 to parents who refuse to vaccinate their children against measles; in addition, the children would be banned from attending kindergarten. France currently has a law stating that unvaccinated children are banned from nurseries or schools.
While certain parts of Europe are acting upon this pressing issue, certain areas of the United States are as well. New York City issued fines of $1,000 against three people who refused to receive vaccinations against measles.
Certain businesses are also banning anti-vaxxers from using their platforms to further promote their agenda. These businesses include Amazon, Indiegogo, Instagram, Facebook, GoFundMe, and many more. Anti-vaxxers can no longer use these platforms to raise money for their movement.
