Anti-Vaxxers Blamed For Jags Plunge

Cases of whooping cough and measles surge after conspiracy theories spread

- VIVIENNE AITKEN

A DROP in childhood immunisations is giving cause for concern as rates of whooping cough and measles climb, a new report has found.

Health chiefs cited a number of reasons for the worrying trend including anti-vax rhetoric spread on social media.

Public Health Scotland highlighted a number of conspiracy theories that may have contribut ed to the decline.

Their report said: “Anti-vax sentiment was mentioned by most immunisation coordinators as something directly affecting vaccine uptake.

“The extent of this influence is unclear in most cases, though some specific areas noted that they had specific knowledge of antivaxxers and their impact on parents/carers in their local community.