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
Kennedy is attacking immunizations on a much larger scale, pushing an anti-vaccine agenda, according to top CDC officials who resigned over Kennedy’s leadership.
—Simon Williams, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
Prominent members of the Kennedy family, including Schlossberg, recently called for RFK Jr, to resign over his anti-vaccine moves in office and the firing of high-level officials at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
What was supposed to happen When there isn't a zealous anti-vaccine activist personally directing federal vaccine policy, US health agencies have a thorough, transparent protocol for approving and recommending vaccinations.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
For decades, Kennedy has established a reputation as an anti-vaccine activist.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
Their lawsuit is funded by the Informed Consent Action Network, or ICAN, an anti-vaccine nonprofit.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Cassidy was originally on the fence about confirming Kennedy due to the now-secretary’s anti-vaccine rhetoric.
—The Hill, 5 Sep. 2025
In the past 200 days, Kennedy has terminated mRNA-research grants, stuffed a CDC advisory panel with anti-vaccine activists, and propped up unproven treatments during a deadly measles outbreak.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Houry reported that vaccine advisors (likely Geier and Lyn Redwood, another anti-vaccine advocate and former leader of Kennedy’s anti-vax Children's Health Defense) were making recommendations before even reviewing data.
—Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
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Simon Williams, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
Prominent members of the Kennedy family, including Schlossberg, recently called for RFK Jr, to resign over his anti-vaccine moves in office and the firing of high-level officials at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
What was supposed to happen When there isn't a zealous anti-vaccine activist personally directing federal vaccine policy, US health agencies have a thorough, transparent protocol for approving and recommending vaccinations.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
For decades, Kennedy has established a reputation as an anti-vaccine activist.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
Their lawsuit is funded by the Informed Consent Action Network, or ICAN, an anti-vaccine nonprofit.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Cassidy was originally on the fence about confirming Kennedy due to the now-secretary’s anti-vaccine rhetoric.
—The Hill, 5 Sep. 2025
In the past 200 days, Kennedy has terminated mRNA-research grants, stuffed a CDC advisory panel with anti-vaccine activists, and propped up unproven treatments during a deadly measles outbreak.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Houry reported that vaccine advisors (likely Geier and Lyn Redwood, another anti-vaccine advocate and former leader of Kennedy’s anti-vax Children's Health Defense) were making recommendations before even reviewing data.
—Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anti-vaccine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-vaccine. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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