92 Memes That Laugh At Anti-Vaxx Logic

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The measles virus could, in theory, be killed off completely if we got our act together. Because humans are the only carriers of the virus and we have an effective vaccine, if we manage to vaccinate enough people, particularly in the developing world, the disease could soon be eradicated.

However, as we know, the anti-vax movement is proving to be a sticking point, one that is threatening to derail the progress made in developed countries.

In the U.S. for example, the vaccination rates for MMR are high, with 91% of children getting the shot. That’s almost enough for herd immunity, meaning that the virus finds it nearly impossible to find enough people to infect, and serves as a protection for those who can’t be immunized. But there are increasing ‘hotspots,’ areas where people are choosing to ‘opt out’ of vaccines for their children, and these areas are vulnerable to outbreaks. The recent outbreak in the Oregon/Washington State area is an example of this.

Why are people choosing not to vaccinate their kids? There is no definitive answer to this, but in today’s post-truth world, where misinformation and distrust of politicians and the media runs high, perhaps this is one area where people can feel that their personal choices matter. Opting out of vaccines may feel to some like a way of reasserting control over their family and their health, perhaps they find it easier to trust a misguided friend on social media than some distant politician who may or may not be on the payroll of ‘big pharma.’

Either way, the anti-vax movement is a dangerous trend, one that we here at Bored Panda are doing our best to highlight. With the battle for truth mainly fought online these days, it’s only natural that memes have become a potent weapon. Easily shareable, concise, humorous and savage, they are perfect fodder for the “TL-DR” generation and have become a common way to ‘mock’ anti-vaxxers into modifying their behavior. Whether it works or not is another discussion, as we have seen in the past, people who feel under attack for their beliefs often double-down and solidify them in response. This is part of the reason why we have the least qualified President in the history of the United States, and political paralysis in the U.K.

Another thing to take into consideration with these memes is that they often carry an undercurrent of sexism with them; the target is more often than not the ‘Anti-Vax Mom.’ This mom is portrayed as dumb and naive, clutching her essential oils and clean-eating regime, obsessed with her kids and suspicious of anything that isn’t ‘organic.’ Presumably, all the dads in this scenario are ambivalent toward vaccinations, keeping quiet in the background while his shrill, unbearable wife makes a public spectacle of herself. Where are you all, Anti-Vax Dads?

No matter where you sit on this particular debate, the memes we’ve collected below will give you a guilty chuckle. Dark, clever and merciless, they make their point loud and clear. But will they change anyone’s minds? Only time will tell.