Principle 9: Recognize vocal vaccine deniers

Among those promoting vaccine disinformation are some termed vocal vaccine deniers, who are on the extreme end of the vaccine hesitancy spectrum. They are very active in their advocacy against vaccines. (1)

Evidence shows that vocal vaccine deniers generally adopt 4 basic techniques to support their claims: (2)

1. They misrepresent scientific evidence.
2. They shift hypotheses when their argument is not winning.
3. They censor opposing viewpoints 
4. They personally attack the opposition. 

💡 It is important to understand their tactics and avoid speaking to the vaccine deniers, and instead address messages to your target audience. (3)

Sources:

(1) Europe WROf. How to respond to vocal vaccine deniers in public. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization; 2017.

(2) Ibid & Kata A. Anti-vaccine activists, Web 2.0, and the postmodern paradigm--an overview of tactics and tropes used online by the anti vaccination movement. Vaccine. 2012;30(25):3778-89.

(3) Europe WROf. How to respond to vocal vaccine deniers in public. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization; 2017.