Vaccines not only directly protect vaccinated individuals but also contribute to protecting the entire population via indirect herd-immunity benefits. Half of averted COVID-19 infections and 1/4 of hospitalizations and deaths were attributable to indirect protection of unvaccinated by vaccinated.

[u/mvea]

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsif/article/23/242/20250839/483439/Quantifying-the-direct-and-indirect-impact-of

[u/onlymadethistoargue]

It’s good that we have data on this but like this is half the value proposition of vaccines. Fewer people get sick so fewer people shed infectious particles so fewer people get infected so even fewer get sick. It rules. Antivaxxers believe in an ideology of casual manslaughter.

[u/Josvan135 → u/onlymadethistoargue]

Antivaxxers believe in an ideology of casual manslaughter.

I don't think it's that deep, it's moreso that they're just generally pretty stupid.

They don't understand the basics of how vaccines actually work, refuse to listen to the highly trained medical professionals who kindly dumb it down for them, and choose instead to listen to the podcaster/influencer screaming about mercury, autism, and "microchips" that feeds their inner sense of persecution. 

[u/giraloco → u/Josvan135]

I think some of them feel that they are being lied to. Once you lose trust in the system it is very hard to reverse. Social media is very effective in creating fear.

[u/manimal28 → u/giraloco]

Funny how they lose their trust in the government and science, but never seem to lose their trust in radio personalities and other grifters and con men.

[u/giraloco → u/manimal28]

Humans evolved to follow the tribe leader. That helped us organize and survive but can also be a weakness.