What is vaccineism and its impact?

Vaccineism is described as a scientistic ideology rather than a scientific approach. It involves the mindset that vaccination is the sole solution to a health crisis, disregarding exceptions and alternative methods. This approach can become counterproductive and generates hostility towards those who question or deviate from the dominant narrative. It represents an ideological mirror to antivaxxism, fostering a rigid, all-or-nothing attitude towards vaccination 1.

The impact of vaccineism includes eroding public trust in science. For instance, when the potential side effects of vaccines are downplayed or censored, it generates distrust and inadvertently supports anti-vaccine misinformation. Transparency regarding vaccine efficacy and safety, even about undesirable findings, is crucial for maintaining public trust and advancing scientific integrity. This concealment of information can hinder personalized medicine, which recognizes that different individuals may react differently to medical interventions 2.

Additionally, public hesitancy towards vaccines often stems from concerns about potential side effects or long-term impacts. The fear of these side effects is not unfounded and has been exacerbated by incidents where vaccines were paused or recalled, undermining the authorities' assurances of safety. This erodes public confidence and can significantly impact vaccination efforts and public health policies 3.