THE GREEK MOVEMENT AGAINST VACCINATION IN GREECE AND THE POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS OF COVID-19 VACCINES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46827/ejphs.v4i1.91Keywords:
vaccination, COVID-19, anti-vaccination movementAbstract
The history of the anti-vaccination movement is long. It does not have a long tradition in Greece. However, from the beginning of COVID-19 and even before a vaccine was discovered, a significant portion of Greeks categorically stated their refusal to participate in vaccination despite the deadly consequences of the virus. This is mainly due to the misinformation they have received and the fact that they believed various conspiracy theories that start with the dangers of vaccines and go as far as the belief that COVID-19 does not exist. These beliefs, in addition to being untrue, also carry a great danger. The more people who refuse to be vaccinated because they think they are doing some kind of resistance, the harder it will be to achieve the collective immunity needed to fight COVID-19. The benefits of vaccination in preventing and protecting against communicable diseases do not only concern the vaccinated population, but, through the immunity of the community, the benefits extend to the whole population, as the transmission of diseases is limited and even people who are not vaccinated are protected such as pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and newborns.
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