Here are 16 celebs who have taken a public stance either for or against vaccinating kids.
Amanda Peet: Pro
Peet, who is a mom to two, is outspokenly pro-vaccine. She famously called parents who opt out of vaccinating their kids “parasites” in an interview, a statement she later retracted in an apology letter.
Jenny McCarthy: Anti
Probably the best-known anti-vaxxer ever, McCarthy famously propagated false research that showed a link between childhood vaccines and autism. Countless studies have since proven there’s no connection between the two, but the idea has stubbornly stuck in the debate rhetoric, due in large part to McCarthy’s influence.
Salma Hayek: Pro
Hayek is a spokeswoman for One Pack = One Vaccine, an initiative dedicated to providing tetanus vaccines to moms and kids in Africa and Asia.
Bill Maher: Anti
Political pundit Maher tweeted during 2009’s swine flu epidemic, “If u get a swine flu shot ur an idiot.” On his show, he compared getting the vaccine to willingly infecting yourself with a disease.
Jennifer Garner: Pro
Garner joined the American Lung Association in 2007 as part of a campaign called Faces of Influenza, in which she encouraged all people to get vaccinated against the flu.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Anti
Kennedy has made references to the unproven autism-vaccine connection in speeches and, in 2008, participated in an anti-vaccination rally led by fellow anti-vaxxer Jenny McCarthy in Washington, D.C.
Kristi Yamaguchi: Pro
Olympic skater Yamaguchi is another spokeswoman for Faces of Influenza. She’s spoken publicly about the importance of getting a yearly flu shot, saying it protects children if they — and everyone around them — are vaccinated.
Jim Carrey: Anti
It only makes sense that Carrey, Jenny McCarthy’s ex, would be against vaccinating. Carrey has participated in McCarthy’s rallies and written op-eds against vaccinating kids.
Jennifer Lopez: Pro
Lopez, who is a mom to twins, is an advocate for Sounds of Pertussis, an initiative that calls for parents and caregivers to vaccinate themselves against whooping cough, creating herd immunity to protect babies who are too young to be vaccinated themselves.
Holly Robinson Peete: Anti
Peete has actually claimed she is not anti-vaccine, but she wrote an open letter to vaccine supporter Amanda Peet, claiming her son became autistic after receiving his MMR booster.
Keri Russell: Pro
Russell has starred in public service announcements urging parents to vaccinate themselves for whooping cough to protect kids who are too young to be vaccinated themselves.
Donald Trump: Anti
Trump has tweeted numerous times about a supposed link between vaccines and autism, despite overwhelming scientific evidence that says the opposite.
Marc Anthony: Pro
Like his former wife, JLo, Anthony has advocated for vaccinating kids and adults. He’s filmed pro-flu vaccine PSAs in both English and Spanish.
Kristin Cavallari: Anti
Cavallari has spoken publicly about her discussion not to vaccinate her kids. “We decided not to vaccinate,” she said in an interview last year. “You know what, I’ve read too many books about autism.”
Bill Gates: Pro
It’s no surprise that science buff Gates — as well as his wife, Melinda — is all about vaccines. In 2010, the couple pledged to donate $10 billion over the course of a decade to deliver vaccines, which they call a miracle to developing countries.
Alicia Silverstone: Anti
Silverstone penned a book titled The Kind Mama, in which she touts the supposed benefits of ditching feminine products, feeding kids vegan diets and eschewing vaccinations.
Leave a Comment