Project of POL 4900 at Baruch College, CUNY
The Anti-Vaccination Movement
By Moshe Nahum
The Anti-Vaccination Movement has been receiving more attention in the past 50 years, but its origins stem as far back as to the creation of the first vaccine. In 1798, Edward Jenner discovered the idea of vaccines, when he realized that injecting himself and his family with the puss of infected cows prevented them from contracting small pox. This idea progressed into the creation of a vaccine, which did not sit well with many at that time due to the repulsiveness of its origin, as well as the idea of injecting children with the actual virus. Since then, many others have denied vaccinating their children due to medical concerns, religious beliefs, as well as philosophical beliefs.