Abstract
The chapter examines the anti‐vaccination movement (AVM) and its alignment with science denialism, focusing on the American context but acknowledging parallels in Europe and other Western countries. The COVID‐19 pandemic highlighted the global impact of vaccine hesitancy and refusal, despite the overwhelming scientific consensus on vaccine safety and efficacy. The AVM is characterized by the spread of misinformation, protests, and organized opposition to pro‐vaccine policies, often aligned with conservative political agendas. The chapter situates the AVM within the broader context of science denialism, which involves the rejection or misrepresentation of scientific evidence for ideological, political, or economic reasons. This phenomenon is not new, with historical examples including the rejection of heliocentrism and opposition to climate change evidence. The chapter explores why people reject scientific consensus, highlighting the role of political polarization, misinformation, and the influence of oppositional social movements. Key findings include the alignment of vaccine refusal with political affiliation and the organized nature of the AVM as a social movement. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing science denialism to protect public health and scientific integrity.