Children in Florida will no longer be required to be vaccinated, according to a speech delivered by the state’s surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, on September 3.
In his announcement, Ladapo reaffirmed his anti-vaccine stance, likening them to "slavery," and said all state vaccine requirements would be repealed, hoping to receive the blessing “of God” for this decision.
Indeed, Joseph Lapado is not the first public official to take a stand against vaccines. It’s true that for those grounded in science, the matter seems straightforward: vaccines are safe, effective, and life-saving. Yet across communities and online platforms, a growing number of people hesitate (or outright refuse) to vaccinate themselves or their children. But why does this continue, even in the face of overwhelming evidence? The answer doesn’t lie in a lack of intelligence or concern, but rather in the complex and often invisible workings of the human mind.
We are all human, and sometimes biases and emotions can create uncertainty in our lives. This is especially true for diseases, which remain unseen by the naked eye, and the continued belief that vaccines cause autism. So, what are the underlying reasons that people refuse to vaccinate their kids? Click through this gallery to find out.