Teens Raised by Anti-Vaxx Parents Seeking Treatment

No matter where you stand, if you have an opinion on vaccines it’s likely to be a strong one. We all do our best, but with so much information (and misinformation) being circulated, it can be hard to determine the right medical decisions for you and your loved ones. Some teens of anti-vaxx parents are making the decisions for themselves, going against their parents’ wishes and getting vaccinated for the first time.

The anti-vaxx movement has some parents terrified to vaccinate their children. Despite their fears, some of their children have chosen to start vaccinating when they hit 18, and one has even gone on to push for stricter laws. He blames social media for reaffirming his mother’s fears, and he’s started a platform of his own. 

Activism and Exemptions

We’re a mere three months into 2019, and already the CDC has confirmed 268 measles cases, with outbreaks in New York, California, Washington, Texas and Illinois. Growing populations of parents using medical, religious or personal vaccine exemptions have contributed greatly to these outbreaks. Some states are working on new laws that would make it harder for people to get exemptions, and the backlash has been swift.

Much of the current anti-vaxx movement is driven by online media. According to an estimate by Public Health United, there are over 500 anti-vaccination websites, many of which disseminate materials that contradict CDC recommendations. Some, like the anti-vaccine docudrama, Vaxxed, go so far as to accuse the CDC of lying to consumers about vaccine autism risks. Any parent who believes these claims has a right to be terrified --- but some teens are defying their anti-vaxx parents’ wishes and getting vaccinated anyway.

It's easy to see both sides of this situation. Those that support vaccinations do so knowing that science and history are on their side. Those that oppose what seems to be a constantly evolving and growing vaccination schedule do so with the knowledge that vaccinations are a HUGE money-making business, so a distrust of the CDC and Big Pharma is legitimate.

Rejecting Their Parents’ Fears

Adult teens like Ethan Lindenberger have taken social media in the opposite direction of their anti-vaxx parents. These teens are publicly sharing their decisions to vaccinate despite the risks they were raised to fear. Lindenberger first made headlines when he sought advice from his social media connections on whether he should take the leap and get vaccinated for the first time in his life. According to USA Today, the 18-year-old went on to testify to Congress earlier this month, pushing for stricter vaccination laws.

Lindenberger blames social media, particularly Facebook, for reinforcing his mother’s beliefs. Much of what’s shared on the platform appeals to parents’ values and fears, turning this issue into one that’s often intensely emotionally driven. Teens like Lindenberger are concerned Facebook and other social media outlets are reaffirming damaging beliefs and giving power to a misled cause.

The controversy isn’t likely to disappear anytime soon. For now, we each need to challenge our sources, digging past any misinformation and pushing for ways to bring the actual science to the surface for good. The challenge for the anti-vaxx movement is that it's hard to prove some of what they claim; but does that mean it doesn't exist or does it mean that Big Pharma's billions have helped to hide some truths? Hard to know.

Regardless, all adult teens get to choose for themselves whether their parents’ beliefs hold up, researching both sides and fully educating themselves on the issues at hand. Kudos to those that at least want to do what they can to educate themselves on the topic, no matter what "side" they fall on.

~ Here’s to Your Health and Wellness