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
His claim motivated a phalanx of AIDS deniers, the forebears of the anti-vaccine militants today.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
In anti-vaccine circles, the official story of polio—iron lungs, kids with leg braces, the triumph of Jonas Salk—has long been dismissed as misleading.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Public health often responds that MAHA supporters like Elizabeth, Melinda, and Nancy have been hoodwinked by social media influencers, grifters, and anti-vaccine zealots.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
But Republicans trying to appeal to MAHA voters will need to walk a tightrope between the agricultural and food wing of the movement as well as the anti-vaccine wing, as Democrats try to exploit the latter as a weakness.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 18 Jan. 2026
The new body quickly went about sidelining career CDC scientists and external advisers while platforming figures who have built careers in the anti-vaccine movement.
—Grayson Logue, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
But not all are for staunchly anti-vaccine reasons or even because of vaccine hesitancy, Thorpe said.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
His focus on aluminum dates back to his time as chairman and chief litigation counsel at the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
McCarthy is outspokenly anti-vaccine and has weathered many career controversies due to her health beliefs, which include claiming that autism is linked to vaccines.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 19 Dec. 2025
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Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
In anti-vaccine circles, the official story of polio—iron lungs, kids with leg braces, the triumph of Jonas Salk—has long been dismissed as misleading.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Public health often responds that MAHA supporters like Elizabeth, Melinda, and Nancy have been hoodwinked by social media influencers, grifters, and anti-vaccine zealots.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
But Republicans trying to appeal to MAHA voters will need to walk a tightrope between the agricultural and food wing of the movement as well as the anti-vaccine wing, as Democrats try to exploit the latter as a weakness.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 18 Jan. 2026
The new body quickly went about sidelining career CDC scientists and external advisers while platforming figures who have built careers in the anti-vaccine movement.
—Grayson Logue, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
But not all are for staunchly anti-vaccine reasons or even because of vaccine hesitancy, Thorpe said.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
His focus on aluminum dates back to his time as chairman and chief litigation counsel at the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
McCarthy is outspokenly anti-vaccine and has weathered many career controversies due to her health beliefs, which include claiming that autism is linked to vaccines.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anti-vaccine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-vaccine. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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