The politics of medicine, morality and free will have collided in an emotional debate over vaccines and the government’s place in requiring them, posing a challenge for Republicans who find themselves in the familiar but uncomfortable position of reconciling modern science with the skepticism of their core conservative voters. … […] Read more »
Spreading Along With Measles: Polarization on a Hot-Button Issue
Will a measles outbreak persuade more parents to vaccinate their children? That’s the question people are asking as concern grows about the outbreak linked to Disneyland that has spread to 67 cases across seven states. Some doctors have expressed hope that parents will be more likely to get their children […] Read more »
Young adults more likely to say vaccinating kids should be a parental choice
… A Pew Research Center report released last week shows that a majority of Americans say children should be required to get vaccinated. Further analysis of the survey data reveals significant age differences in views about vaccines. … Overall, 68% of U.S. adults say childhood vaccinations should be required, while […] Read more »
How Social Groups Influence Parents’ Decision to Vaccinate
The people and information sources parents surround themselves with may influence their choice to vaccinate their children or not, according to a survey from one county in Washington state. … “The take-home message from this is that the social networks for the majority of parents are extremely important in affecting […] Read more »