Disinformation about vaccines damages confidence, but RFK Jr’s most insidious way of undermining vaccinations will be through the system. There is a risk the administration could strangle systems of support that enable people to access free and convenient vaccination services. In the US, the lowest immunisation rates are in children from families who are uninsured, receive Medicaid, live in poorer areas, rural areas or are black or Hispanic. Threats of cuts to schemes like Medicaid present immediate threats to accessibility of vaccines. Researchers and agencies will not be permitted to use the necessary words to describe these inequities, let alone respond to them.
RFK Jr’s most insidious way of undermining vaccination rates will be through the system.
RFK Jr’s most insidious way of undermining vaccination rates will be through the system.Credit: Getty Images
Australia is somewhat insulated from this reset of language and power but the American case is still salient. The far right and other disgruntled factions are capitalising on post-pandemic discontent here, too. In Western Australia, a member of the Legislative Council, Dr Brian Walker, has been returned on his platform for the legalisation of cannabis. Unexpectedly, he used the spotlight to unearth the long discredited “vaccines cause autism” idea. He also used “cancel culture” language to tap into contemporary concerns about free thought and speech. He might be a fringe politician but he is using his platform (and his medical qualifications) to sow doubt about measles vaccination.
We are already getting measles, with travellers bringing the disease back to Australia from overseas. But there is some resilience against the onslaught coming to the US and locally. Our high vaccination rates and swift public-health responses control outbreaks rapidly. Also, Australians still value vaccines and will defend them strongly.
Even if we forget their value, the truth about the preventive power of vaccines will prevail through bitter experience. When vaccination rates go down, measles rates go up. It is unfortunate that we may have to learn these lessons again and again. In the meantime, amid the focus on the anti-vaxxers and misinformation, we should not let governments off the hook. They need to provide services, support and encouragement to keep our communities safe against diseases and those who would unleash their return.