anti-vaccine

adjective

ˌan-tē-vak-ˈsēn,
ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce anti-vaccine (audio)
-ˈvak-ˌsēn
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
… 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

Examples of anti-vaccine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s personal visit to the family of a Texas girl who died of measles appeared to mark a slight shift for the former anti-vaccine activist, who has sought to downplay the seriousness of the outbreak. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025 Some public health experts argue that scrutiny around mRNA technology is an extension of anti-vaccine sentiments in politics. Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025 The health secretary formerly chaired an anti-vaccine non-profit called Children's Health Defense that, during a measles outbreak in 2019, tried to sue New York over the state's school vaccine requirement. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 7 Apr. 2025 But news of the child's death first came to light on Saturday, April 5—in a newsletter published by Robert Malone, an anti-vaccine advocate and peddler of conspiracy theories who came to prominence during the pandemic. ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025 Some voters are also less trusting of government regulators, the anti-vaccine movement has regained momentum post-COVID, and people are fearful about the rise in cancer among young people. David Oliver, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025 Kennedy, an anti-vaccine advocate before becoming Health and Human Services secretary this year, has resisted urging widespread vaccines as the measles outbreak has worsened under his watch. Devi Shastri and Amanda Seitz, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2025 Guests have included Mary Holland, leader of Children’s Health Defense, the group formerly led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that spreads anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, and John Christy, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a climate-change skeptic. Christopher Maag, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025 Public health experts and scientists have expressed fear about Kennedy’s long history as an anti-vaccine advocate since President Trump nominated him as secretary shortly after the election. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anti-vaccine was in 1880

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Cite this Entry

“Anti-vaccine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-vaccine. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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