Anti-vaxxer movement defies assumptions

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Who are the anti-vaxxers?

A new poll that has attempted to find out and has challenged a few assumptions along the way.

Mainstreet Technologies, a national public research firm, profiled 1,000 parents who have chosen to not vaccinate their children with the Measles, Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine and found the major reason, by far, is health concerns. But the make-up of that group defies easy description.

“Some may assume anti-vaxxers are poorly educated or come primarily from low-income families, but that is not the case,” says Quito Maggi, president of Mainstreet Technologies.

The research found 39 per cent come from households with income over $100,000 annually. Two-thirds (66%) of anti-vaxxers have completed a post-secondary education, with more than half of those (38%) holding a university degree.

“What we discovered is that 65 per cent report health concerns as the reason they have not vaccinated their children,” adds Maggi.

One-in-five (19%) gave religious reasons.

“We also asked respondents if they are more likely to vaccinate their children, keeping in mind the measles outbreaks in the United States and Canada. Seventy-nine per cent said they were not at all likely to vaccinate their children.”

Maggi points out this is a continuing problem for those who cannot be vaccinated and depend on “herd immunity” for coverage.

“When enough of the population is vaccinated, individuals who can’t receive the vaccine for medical reasons are protected. And it’s not just children being affected now. We’ve seen reports of adults being affected by measles in the news lately.”

Interviews were conducted from February 22nd to February 28th, 2015. The results have a margin of error of +/- 3.08, 19 times out of 20.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today