Overview
This lecture explores the history of anti-vaccination movements from the early 1800s to recent decades, detailing key controversies and social responses in England and the United States.
Early Vaccine Opposition and Smallpox
- Vaccination began with Edward Jenner’s cowpox experiments in the early 1800s.
- Public criticism arose from sanitary, religious, scientific, and political objections.
- Many objected to smallpox vaccines due to perceived risks, religious beliefs, distrust of medicine, and threats to personal liberty.
- England’s Vaccination Acts of 1853 and 1867 mandated smallpox vaccination, sparking organized resistance and formation of anti-vaccination leagues.
- The Leicester Demonstration March of 1885 drew up to 100,000 anti-vaccinators protesting compulsory vaccination.
- In 1898, the UK included a conscientious objector clause in its vaccination law, allowing exemptions.
Anti-Vaccination Movements in the United States
- The Anti Vaccination Society of America was founded in 1879 after British activists influenced US sentiment.
- American anti-vaccinationists formed leagues and pursued legal action to overturn vaccination mandates.
- In Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905), the US Supreme Court upheld states’ rights to enforce compulsory vaccination during disease outbreaks.
DTP Vaccine Controversy
- In the 1970s, concerns arose globally about neurological side effects from the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine.
- Publicized case reports and media coverage caused a decline in vaccination rates and outbreaks of whooping cough.
- UK and US studies found very low risk of neurological harm, supporting continued immunization.
- Victim advocacy groups formed, but courts did not accept claims of vaccine damage due to lack of evidence.
MMR Vaccine and Autism Controversy
- In 1998, Andrew Wakefield suggested a link between the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and autism.
- Intense media coverage caused public confusion and vaccine hesitancy.
- Wakefield’s research was later discredited and retracted for scientific fraud and conflict of interest.
- Multiple studies found no link between MMR vaccination and autism.
Thimerosal and “Green Our Vaccines” Movement
- Thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative in vaccines, became controversial for suspected links to autism.
- Scientific reviews found no evidence that thimerosal causes autism or developmental disorders.
- Thimerosal was removed from most childhood vaccines by 2001 as a precaution, but some flu vaccines still contain it.
- The “Green Our Vaccines” campaign, led by advocacy groups and celebrities, called for eliminating vaccine preservatives.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Vaccination — Administering a substance to stimulate immunity to a specific disease.
- Anti-vaccination league — Organized groups opposing vaccination laws.
- Conscientious objector clause — Legal exemption from vaccination due to personal beliefs.
- DTP vaccine — Combined immunization for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
- MMR vaccine — Combined immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella.
- Thimerosal — Mercury-based compound used as a preservative in some vaccines.
- Jacobson v. Massachusetts — 1905 Supreme Court case upholding states' rights to mandate vaccines.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the timeline of anti-vaccination movements and key legal cases.
- Prepare for discussion on the social and scientific impacts of vaccine controversies.