variants
or less commonly antivaccine
: opposed to the use of vaccines
A handful of parents and anti-vaccine activists told lawmakers … that they believe vaccines are responsible for countless cases of autism, learning disabilities and death.—
Jim Hughes
Jim Hughes… the rising global threat of antivaccine sentiments and vaccine misinformation contributed to the WHO [=World Health Organization] classifying vaccine hesitancy as a top ten global health threat in 2019 …—David M. Higgins and Sean T. O'Leary
David M. Higgins and Sean T. O'LearyExamples of anti-vaccine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From the start of the coronavirus pandemic, lack of nuance has been a problem with public-health messaging—one that anti-vaccine advocates have made use of to great effect.
—Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2025
Many of the new members have expressed anti-vaccine sentiments of their own, but not all agreed with Friday’s changes.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
In June, Kennedy fired the entire 17-member panel earlier this year and replaced it with a group that includes several anti-vaccine voices.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Dec. 2025
Added to this, the Secretary’s ally, an anti-vaccine trial lawyer named Aaron Siri who previously petitioned the FDA to revoke approval of the polio vaccine, was given a platform to present on the childhood vaccine schedule.
—Dr. Debra Houry, Time, 5 Dec. 2025
Megan Varner / Bloomberg via Getty Images Both are hot-button topics among anti-vaccine activists, who often argue that children receive too many vaccines and that aluminum salts in them increases the risk of autoimmune conditions or neurodevelopmental disorders.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
It had already been reported that the shooter was motivated by anti-vaccine sentiments; Houry hoped that Kennedy, who has championed opposition to vaccines, would say something to reassure the staff.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Kennedy, a longtime environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist who helped lead the crusade against COVID-19 shots during the pandemic, has taken many steps to curtail vaccines this year.
—Ali Swenson, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025
In particular, Schlossberg offered scathing criticism of his anti-vaccine stances and decision to defund various medical research, as well as the harmful effects the actions can have on those receiving care similar to her own.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
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Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2025
Many of the new members have expressed anti-vaccine sentiments of their own, but not all agreed with Friday’s changes.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
In June, Kennedy fired the entire 17-member panel earlier this year and replaced it with a group that includes several anti-vaccine voices.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Dec. 2025
Added to this, the Secretary’s ally, an anti-vaccine trial lawyer named Aaron Siri who previously petitioned the FDA to revoke approval of the polio vaccine, was given a platform to present on the childhood vaccine schedule.
—Dr. Debra Houry, Time, 5 Dec. 2025
Megan Varner / Bloomberg via Getty Images Both are hot-button topics among anti-vaccine activists, who often argue that children receive too many vaccines and that aluminum salts in them increases the risk of autoimmune conditions or neurodevelopmental disorders.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
It had already been reported that the shooter was motivated by anti-vaccine sentiments; Houry hoped that Kennedy, who has championed opposition to vaccines, would say something to reassure the staff.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Kennedy, a longtime environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist who helped lead the crusade against COVID-19 shots during the pandemic, has taken many steps to curtail vaccines this year.
—Ali Swenson, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025
In particular, Schlossberg offered scathing criticism of his anti-vaccine stances and decision to defund various medical research, as well as the harmful effects the actions can have on those receiving care similar to her own.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anti-vaccine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-vaccine. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.
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