How the anti-vaccine community is responding to COVID-19

Enlarge / A nurse prepares to administer the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as well as a vaccine used to help prevent the diseases of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and polio at Children's Primary Care Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (credit: Getty | The Washington Post)

In early March, Melissa Floyd, a self-described health freedom educator who co-hosts "The Vaccine Conversation" podcast, was forced to abruptly change plans. She and her co-host were supposed to pack up for a live multi-city tour. But the public health crisis born from COVID-19 delayed the start of their tour for months.

Floyd and her cohost, Bob Sears, a California-based pediatrician who advocates a delayed vaccine schedule and skipping some vaccines, addressed the cancellation in a podcast episode, noting that they don't have any personal fear of the virus. Our government agencies, Floyd said, "are talking about washing your hands, but why aren't they talking about things you can do to boost your immune system like vitamin D? Why aren't they talking about reducing sugar? Why aren't they talking about eating fruits and vegetables and staying away from processed foods?

"I've not heard any footage," Floyd continued, "that talks about how to make your body strong-it's just wash your hands, use a mask and hopefully that vaccine will come out sooner rather than later." (Floyd did not respond to an interview request from Undark.)

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