How vaccine skeptics use storytelling effectively to create powerful but medically inaccurate messaging
Researchers are studying how vaccine-hesitant groups utilize storytelling to effectively disseminate medically inaccurate information. The study suggests that these groups often bypass scientific data in favor of personal narratives, which can be more persuasive to the public.
Why it matters
Understanding the communication strategies of anti-vaccine movements is critical for public health officials attempting to improve vaccine uptake and combat misinformation.
Vaccine skeptics have been around as long as vaccines have – for more than 200 years. Volanthevist/Moment via Getty Images How vaccine skeptics use storytelling effectively to create powerful but medically inaccurate messaging Published: July 27, 2026 8:40am EDT https://theconversation.com/how-vaccine-skeptics-use-storytelling-effectively-to-create-powerful-but-medically-inaccurate-messaging-265194 https://theconversation.com/how-vaccine-skeptics-use-storytelling-effectively-to-create-powerful-but-medically-inaccurate-messaging-265194 Link copied Share article Share article
Copy link Email Bluesky Facebook WhatsApp Messenger LinkedIn X (Twitter) Print article
As long as there have been vaccines, there have been people who doubted their science and safety.
Back in 19th-century England, people rioted against a mandatory smallpox vaccine, claiming that it violated civil rights and was an affront to human bodily integrity . In the United States, organizations dedicated to resisting vaccines have existed since the Anti-Compulsory Vaccination League of Brooklyn was established in 1894.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in