The Longstanding Roots of Anti-Vaccine Sentiment

The anti-vaccine movement within evangelical and conservative Christian circles has deep-rooted historical influences that extend beyond recent events. Research indicates that the pushback against vaccines has been building for decades, rather than being a novel response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some surveys show that counties with higher populations of white evangelical Protestants often report lower vaccination rates, highlighting a trend that connects cultural beliefs with health decisions. This historical context is vital to understanding how longstanding narratives have merged and flourished in today's political and social climate, providing a foundation for modern skepticism surrounding vaccines.