Republican Lawmakers Drove 86% of Anti-Vaccine Bills, Study Finds
Summary
A study from Boston University found that Republican lawmakers introduced 86% of anti-vaccine bills in U.S. state legislatures between 2019 and 2023. The number of vaccine-related bills increased sharply after the COVID-19 pandemic began, reflecting growing political divisions over vaccines.Key Facts
- Between 2019 and 2023, state legislatures introduced 1,513 vaccine-related bills.
- After 2020, vaccine-related bills increased from 386 in 2019 to 1,154 in 2021.
- Republicans sponsored over 65% of anti-vaccine bills during this period.
- Democrats sponsored 54% of pro-vaccine bills and mostly supported increasing vaccine access or funding.
- Roughly 40% of all bills each legislative cycle after 2020 dealt with vaccines.
- Anti-vaccine attitudes shifted from personal views to political issues influencing laws.
- Vaccine hesitancy has become more linked to political identity than to medical discussion.
- Researchers highlight that vaccine hesitancy is now an institutional challenge, not just a communication problem.
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