Measles outbreaks are occurring all over the world, from Madagascar to the Philippines to Europe to the United States — and social media is partially to blame.
The anti-vax movement has led to a decrease in immunization rates and has triggered outbreaks, and social media platforms have made it easier to spread misinformation online.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of pro-vaccine posts to remind us all that vaccines work — in amusing and informative ways, as exhibited by the top 10 posts below.
1. Twitter User Elise Kumar Puts Carol in Her Place.
People say “well what did people do before vaccines/antibiotics/pasteurisation?” as if that’s an argument for going natural.
— Elise Kumar 🤷♀️ (@elisekumar) September 8, 2018
They died, Carol. A lot of people died.
2. This Meme Puts Anti-Vax Logic to the Test.
3. This Pediatrics Staff Clapped Back at Anti-Vaxxers With Custom-Made T-Shirts.
4. And It Turns Out Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Agrees That Vaccines Cause Adults.
Vaccines are safe, and save lives. Love this shirt, thanks @GinettePT! #VaccinesCauseAdultspic.twitter.com/7TluU4E6VL
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 30, 2019
5. Twitter User @taaylorshaarp Hit The Internet With Some Facts.
A THREAD: i actually did my senior paper on vaccinations so let me hit you with the facts real quick
— tsharp (@taaylorshaarp) July 6, 2018
there are 12 childhood diseases preventable by vaccination: varicella (chicken pox), mumps, tetanus, polio, diphtheria, pneumococcal disease, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, hepatitis A & B, and haemophilus influenza Type B pic.twitter.com/O8lnCTTR9I
— tsharp (@taaylorshaarp) July 6, 2018
although these diseases are rare, and some are even erased from the U.S. completely, they are still present all around the world and can be brought back into the country, leaving unvaccinated children at risk pic.twitter.com/5l0NsUkMOS
— tsharp (@taaylorshaarp) July 6, 2018
in 2012, there were 48,277 cases of whooping cough reported in the U.S, the highest number of cases since 1955 pic.twitter.com/6HjB4tLuzj
— tsharp (@taaylorshaarp) July 6, 2018
another dangerous disease that is making a return, is measles. measles is a virus that causes a rash, inflamed eyes, very high fever, and it is extremely contagious. if someone comes in contact with measles and they are unvaccinated, there is a 90% chance they will become sick pic.twitter.com/es9JTa2iXK
— tsharp (@taaylorshaarp) July 6, 2018
(The fantastic thread of GIFs and stats continue here.)
6. Willy Wonka For The Win!
7. A Shirt Worthy of JAY-Z.
8. Thank you, Bill Gates.
9. Dwight Schrute Doesn't Joke Around.
10. Pro-Vaxxers Had A Response For This Mom.
Can anyone guess how this person could protect their child from the measles? pic.twitter.com/l07KClnUWv
— Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science (@rdfrs) January 29, 2019