anti-vaccine

adjective

ˌan-tē-vak-ˈsēn,
ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce anti-vaccine (audio)
-ˈvak-ˌsēn
variants or less commonly antivaccine
: opposed to the use of vaccines
A handful of parents and anti-vaccine activists told lawmakers … that they believe vaccines are responsible for countless cases of autism, learning disabilities and death.Jim Hughes
… the rising global threat of antivaccine sentiments and vaccine misinformation contributed to the WHO [=World Health Organization] classifying vaccine hesitancy as a top ten global health threat in 2019 …David M. Higgins and Sean T. O'Leary

Examples of anti-vaccine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Just days after anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became the country's top health official, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already pulled back some of its efforts to protect Americans with safe, lifesaving vaccines. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025 The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history of making anti-vaccine statements, to secretary of health and human services has further fueled these concerns. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025 Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist, has criticized childhood vaccines. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025 After a heated legislative battle that saw intense pushback from anti-vaccine protesters, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it into law. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 17 Feb. 2025 Trump has increasingly leaned into the anti-vaccine movement in recent years, including naming one of its most prominent advocates to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. The Hill Staff, The Hill, 14 Feb. 2025 Kennedy has risen to popularity in the last year by focusing on the increase in chronic disease among Americans, but vaccine experts fear that his legacy of anti-vaccine work through his nonprofit, Children’s Health Defense, will affect his tenure as secretary. Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2025 Kennedy, 71, is a longtime environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist whose family has mythic status in Democratic politics. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2025 And some of his plans play into the anti-vaccine camp’s hands. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anti-vaccine was in 1880

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Cite this Entry

“Anti-vaccine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-vaccine. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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