And that is the simple and sad t***h.
Anti-vax influencers tout anecdotes of adverse reactions without mentioning how rare they are. These anecdotes are a form of phobia indoctrination. Anti-v**xers withhold information about the v*****es, causing people to fear that by getting v******ted, they would be putting themselves at a high risk of severe side effects. The reality is that instances of serious negative physical reactions to the v*****e are very rare.
It's important for people to think critically about the actual risks of C***d vs. the risk of the C***d v*****e, and not just succumb to irrational fear. Unv******ted people are at a much higher risk of dying from the v***s, and doctors overwhelmingly agree that getting v******ted is by far the safest, best choice.
Rather than trusting anti-vax influencers, people with concerns about the safety of the v*****e should be looking at the facts and trusting the experts.
Distorting information
Anti-vax groups distort information by misinterpreting data and casting doubt on the scientific process. For instance, many anti-vax influencers claim that the v*****e is dangerous because it is new and was rapidly developed. But in reality, C****-** v*****es make use of technology that has been extensively studied for decades, and the v*****e had to go through usual rigorous testing for emergency approval.
Anti-vax campaigns to distort information remind me of the way fears were implanted in me when I was a Moonie. I was programmed to h**e democracy and believe that it was Satanic. After deprogramming, I realized that the Moonies had used corrupt brainwashing tactics on me to support their anti-democratic political agenda.
Outright lying
Anti-v******tion social media campaigns spew outright lies to sow doubt and confusion about the v******tion process.
Last year, an anti-vax propaganda film went v***l. The film falsely claimed that the C***d v*****e is a money-making scheme for a group of elites, who are hiding evidence that the v*****e causes medical harm. It likely successfully implanted v*****e phobias for many who watched it.
When people are not properly informed, deciding whether or not to get v******ted can be a scary decision. People are constantly exposed to lies about the v*****es online, including false claims that they alter DNA or lead to infertility.
Of course, we know that billions of doses have been administered worldwide. That is a huge sample size, and the absence of any widespread serious side effects speaks to the v*****e's safety.
Phobias are common, but curable. If we do not take the time to analyze the data and actual risk, and if we allow ourselves to trust people and sources that are untrustworthy, we can go down a rabbit hole of paranoia and end up in real danger. Helping people overcome these fears is the only way to end this p******c.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/29/perspectives/c****-**-v*****e-anti-v**xers-social-media-cults/index.html