These days, antivaxxers are the source of much of the misinformation, pseudoscience, quackery, and disinformation that creates the "vaccine-averse" and "vaccine concerned." They are the propagandists. They are the grifters. Many are even true believers. 2/
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If they propose an impossible standard of evidence (e.g., massive RCT evidence that a vaccine is 100% safe and 100% effective PLUS massive epidemiological studies of millions of people with zero adverse reactions), they're very likely antivax. 13/
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If they insist on a massive randomized placebo-controlled trial over 20 years showing that vaccines do not cause autism and react negatively if it's pointed out that such a study would be highly unethical, they're antivax. 14/
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However, here's perhaps the most useful standard in terms of responses to the question about evidence. If they keep moving the goalposts as you provide evidence that meets each set of standards they answer you with, they are almost certainly antivax. 13/
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Again, there's very little point trying to engage with real antivaxxers. The cost in terms of time and effort far outweighs the benefit of the tiny likelihood that you might get them to start to change their minds. 14/
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Instead, target the fence-sitters, the "vaccine curious" and averse who might be reachable. To do that, however, you need to know how to distinguish them from antivaxxers. It takes time to develop an accurate "I know one when I see one" instinct about antivaxxers, as I have.15/15
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I forgot: One other VERY good indicator of an antivaxxer: The grift. If the person sells "substitutes" for vaccines, woo to treat "vaccine injury," or "alternative vaccine schedules," he is almost always an antivaxxer. 15a/15
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