Anti-vaxxer harassment online shuts down immunization events, Nevada officials say
An immunization organization in Nevada was forced to cancel two events this month following an online harassment campaign from anti-vaccination activists, officials said.
“Bullying and harassment by anti-vaxxers is happening locally, and unfortunately, we’re confronted daily with this reality,” Immunize Nevada Executive Director Heidi Parker said in a statement earlier this month.
That’s why the group decided to turn two in-person events into one virtual fundraiser on Dec. 13, which brought in almost $15,000 to support the nonprofit organization’s goal of expanding access to vaccines, according to Immunize Nevada.
The decision to cancel the Reno and Las Vegas Big Shot breakfasts — set for Dec. 6 and 13 — came after “organizers were informed by the venues that participants in the vocal anti-vaccination movement had begun online harassment of both venues, prompting concerns of demonstrations at the events,” Immunize Nevada officials said.
Vocal anti-vaccine posts were appearing on the venues’ Yelp and Facebook pages, FOX 11 reports.
One post accused a restaurant of “supporting Big Pharma’s agenda by hosting a vaccine incentive program,” screenshots published by the TV station show, while another said immunizations cause an “incredible amount of harm to the most vulnerable” — despite an overwhelming medical consensus to the contrary, supported by decades of scientific research.
“We knew that subjecting our attendees and our venues to possible harassment was not in keeping with our goal of celebrating their contributions,” Parker said. “Further, we had no interest in giving anti-science voices an opportunity to spread their caustic message.”
Parker said the online event reached more than 20,000 people on social media.
“Funds raised from Big Shots will provide no-cost vaccines to those in our community with the highest need,” Parker said. “These include families without insurance, students at Title 1 schools, community members experiencing homelessness and senior citizens.”
Parker said the group was “actually able to make more on Big Shots, and the virtual event exceeded our expectations” compared with past events, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak expressed his support for Immunize Nevada on Twitter, writing that the group and Parker’s work are “incredibly important in increasing vaccination rates and promoting public health in Nevada.”
“As always, we remain undeterred in our commitment to public health,” Immunize Nevada Board Chair Bethany Sexton said in a statement. “We’re more determined than ever to find new and creative ways to circumvent the efforts of vocal anti-science agitators. Because their voices should never overpower facts.”
