The measles outbreak in the US southwest has sparked concerns about vaccine confidence. A recent study found that viewers of Fox News are more likely to be skeptical of vaccines. Fox News medical contributor Marc Siegel has sounded the alarm, stating that vaccination is crucial to stopping the spread of measles.
Siegel pointed out that vaccine mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic led to lower vaccination rates, but conveniently omitted his own network’s role in promoting anti-vaccine rhetoric among conservative viewers. He emphasized the importance of vaccinating against measles, citing its 97% effectiveness rate when taking both doses as a child.
However, research suggests that Fox News has contributed significantly to vaccine hesitancy. A Colorado University-Boulder study found that viewers who primarily consume Fox News and other conservative media sources are less likely to be vaccinated. Another study by ETH Zurich concluded that areas with higher Fox News viewership have lower vaccination rates.
This trend is evident in the impact of hosts like Tucker Carlson, who repeatedly painted COVID-19 vaccines as ineffective and even dangerous. Siegel’s comments on the measles outbreak have sparked concerns about his own vaccine skepticism, which has been previously linked to a drop in vaccinations in Samoa that led to dozens of deaths.
As the US continues to experience measles outbreaks, experts warn that vaccination is essential to prevent the spread of the disease. With vaccine confidence at an all-time low, it is crucial for networks like Fox News to take responsibility for their role in promoting misinformation and advocate for evidence-based public health measures.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/fox-news-anti-vaccine-measles-b2704529.html