Catherine Hughes alarmed by rise of ‘persuasive’ anti-vaxxers

Catherine Hughes became a vaccine advocate after tragically losing her son to whooping cough. Since the pandemic, she’s observed anti-vaxxers become “loud and proud” about their views.

Catherine Hughes and baby Riley. Picture: Supplied

Ten years ago, our baby boy died from whooping cough.

Riley was just 32 days old, too young to be vaccinated, and the pregnancy whooping cough vaccine wasn’t yet available for free across Australia.

From the depths of grief, my husband and I shared Riley’s story.

We didn’t set out to establish an advocacy movement, we just didn’t want other families to go through what we did.

Something amazing happened: people listened.

Riley’s story reached millions.

Within months, the whooping cough vaccine was funded for pregnant women, ultimately saving babies’ lives.

Expecting parents embraced whooping cough protection and Australia recorded some of the highest maternal immunisation rates in the world.

Riley Hughes in an induced coma. Picture: Supplied

This happened because people talked: parent to parent, midwife to patient, friend to friend.

But things have changed.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve seen a snowballing of misinformation.

Anti-vaccine activists, once seen as fringe-dwelling conspiracy theorists, are now loud, proud and dangerously persuasive.

Their messages stem from well-orchestrated and well-funded fear franchises.

In the US, anti-vaccination groups have massive budgets, making it difficult for the pro-immunisation groups tasked with challenging their falsehoods.

These anti-vax groups spread dangerous content, unchecked and often unchallenged, through social media, podcasts, and increasingly through political networks.

While they try to position themselves as defenders of freedom and choice, they profit from fear, gaining audiences to sell products or generate advertising revenue.

The Hughes family in 2022. Picture: Supplied

Sadly, because social media algorithms amplify the loudest voices rather than the most credible, harmful narratives spread and ultimately trickle down to vulnerable families.

In Australia, it’s having an impact.

Immunisation rates are falling and diseases we once had under control are surging back, resulting in families facing unfathomable heartbreak.

I speak regularly with parents from around the world who grieve the loss of a child.

Whether it’s from measles, influenza or pneumococcal disease, these deaths should never have occurred.

Vaccines have taken us so far.

Before routine immunisation, one in 10 Australian children didn’t make it to their first birthday, many from diseases that are now prevented through vaccination.

We know one thing hasn’t changed: parents still want the best for their children.

Catherine Hughes. Picture: Supplied

People don’t reject vaccines out of neglect; they do so because they somehow believe it’s the safest choice.

They need honest, trusted information and the chance to ask questions and be heard, without

pressure or judgement.

The Federal Government’s recently launched national immunisation strategy must prioritise

community education which counters misinformation with evidence and empathy.

In the meantime, I implore parents to speak to their doctor or immunisation provider about

vaccinations.

Don’t be afraid to challenge them with what you’ve heard or read – you have every right to be heard and informed.

As for me, I’ll keep doing what I know best: talking to parents and parents-to-be.

These conversations may be quiet but they’re very powerful.

We won’t stop talking until we turn things around for the better, and for good.

For Riley, and for all families impacted by vaccine-preventable diseases.

Catherine Hughes is the founder of the Immunisation Foundation of Australia. Ms Hughes and the foundation will attend the Pregnancy Babies and Children’s Expo in Melbourne on July 12-13.

Originally published as Catherine Hughes alarmed by rise of ‘persuasive’ anti-vaxxers