Anti-vaxxer
/ˈæn.tiˌvæk.sər/
Definition
Meaning: An anti-vaxxer is a person who opposes vaccination or the use of vaccines, often due to beliefs about their safety and efficacy. This term is commonly associated with individuals who refuse to vaccinate themselves or their children.
Signification: Une personne qui s'oppose à la vaccination ou à l'utilisation de vaccins, souvent en raison de croyances concernant leur sécurité et leur efficacité. Ce terme est généralement associé aux personnes qui refusent de se faire vacciner ou de vacciner leurs enfants.
Note: The term has gained prominence in discussions about public health, especially during outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Word Analysis
French synonyms
» Antivaccin
» Opposant à la vaccination
» Réfractaire aux vaccins
» Sceptique des vaccins
» Militant contre vaccins
[Il a été qualifié d'« antivaccin » par ses pairs.]
English synonyms
» Vaccine sceptic
» Vaccine opponent
» Anti-vaccine activist
» Vaccine refuser
» Immunization opponent
[She identified as someone who was vaccine-sceptic early on.]
Example Dialogue
Pule: "I don't trust vaccines; I think they can do more harm than good."
Thato: "You're an antivaxxer? Have you considered the science behind them?"
Pule: "I just feel like there are too many risks."
Thato: "It shouldn't be about how you feel but about reality and science."
Etymology
Origin: The term "anti-vaxxer" is a colloquial expression that refers to a person who opposes vaccination or the use of vaccines. It likely emerged in the early 21st century, particularly during public health debates surrounding vaccine safety and efficacy. The phrase conveys a sense of skepticism towards vaccines and is often used in discussions about public health and immunisation policies.
Audience
The term is informal and frequently used in discussions about vaccination, particularly in social media contexts and public health debates. It is generally employed to describe individuals who refuse vaccines for themselves or their children.
When to use: Use it when discussing the attitudes and beliefs surrounding vaccination. For example: "The rise of the anti-vaxxer movement has raised concerns among health officials."
Dictionary Meaning
Wiktionary defines it this way: 'A person who opposes vaccination, as for its purported dangerous effects.'
My example is: 'Despite overwhelming scientific evidence for vaccines, the antivaxxer refused to immunise her kids.'
News Snippet
"A drive to vaccinate the homeless in Claremont was almost derailed when a small group of anti-vaxxers showed up and began spewing conspiracies and profanities. Vaccine hesitancy is still rife amongst street dwellers who are often vulnerable to severe illness from Covid-19."
Read the full article at The Daily Maverick
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Common Anti-Vax Idioms and Expressions
Anti-vax: A term used to describe individuals or groups who oppose vaccination, often due to misinformation or distrust in medical institutions.
Example: "The anti-vax movement has gained traction in some communities."
Antivaxxer: A person who refuses vaccines or advocates against vaccination, often based on personal beliefs or conspiracy theories.
Example: "Many antivaxxers spread false information about vaccine safety."
Vaccine hesitancy: A reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines, often influenced by cultural, social, or personal factors.
Example: "Vaccine hesitancy can lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases."
Conspiracy theory: A belief that events or situations are secretly manipulated by powerful forces, often used to explain vaccine skepticism.
Example: "Some antivaxxers subscribe to conspiracy theories about pharmaceutical companies."
Vaccine misinformation: False or misleading information about vaccines that can influence public perception and behavior.
Example: "Social media is a major source of vaccine misinformation."
Public health threat: A situation or condition that poses a risk to the health of the general population, often exacerbated by low vaccination rates.
Example: "The rise of the anti-vax movement is a significant public health threat."
Herd immunity: The resistance to the spread of a contagious disease within a population when a sufficient proportion is immune, often through vaccination.
Example: "Achieving herd immunity is crucial for protecting vulnerable populations."
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