Vaccination Opposition

For a vocal subset of the public, vaccines have been a target of skepticism and suspicion for many years. Social media have amplified the spread of anti-vaxx messages and misinformation, leading to the online recruitment of new anti-vaxx adherents-- an especially disturbing development in the midst of a pandemic.[1] The uptick of followers on social media is not the only evidence that vaccine mistrust is pervasive; further evidence comes from the fact that vaccines are contested in the streets.

The first image in this set references an apocalytic narrative spreading among some evangelical Christians that COVID-19 vaccines are a portent of the biblical End Times.[2] The second image documents a conversation among graffiti writers inspired by a pro-vaccine street art piece. Although some layers have been buffed away, what remains suggests a dynamic dialogue in which writers challenge the piece thoughtfully (“How can a vaccine be the answer if we don’t ask questions”) and reflexively (“SCAMDEMIC”). Another has written “SURVIVAL,” though the context for this word is obscured. 

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[1] Talha Burki. “The online anti-vaccine movement in the age of COVID-19.” The Lancet 2, Issue 10 (October, 2020): E504-E505. https://doi.org/10/1016/S2589-7500(20)30227-2

[2] Elizabeth Dwoskin. “On social media, vaccine misinformation mixes with extreme faith.” The Washington Post (February 16, 2021). https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/02/16/covid-vaccine-misinformation-evangelical-mark-beast/