Reconnoitering the antivaccination Web sites: News from the front

BACKGROUND In the United Stales, Western Europe and other areas. groups opp osing universal childhood immunization are reported to be gaining political momentum. METHODS A review was done of Internet sites opposing childhood immunization , with the goal of describing the philosophies and strategies used by the g roups presenting them. A random sample of antivaccination Web sites was obt ained using standard Internet search engines and the search terms "vaccinat ion" and "immunization." These sites were analyzed for content, common them es, philosophy, affiliation with groups or organizations, and suggested str ategies for avoiding vaccination. RESULTS Twenty-six of the 51 sites found were randomly selected for review. Fifteen of these were associated with groups promoting the use of alternat ive medicine for preventing or treating infectious disease. Groups concerne d with civil liberties were also represented. as were conspiracy theorists. CONCLUSIONS Many groups have an interest in opposing universal childhood im munization, and some of them have a prominent presence on the Internet. Phy sicians and parents should be aware of the existence of these groups and th eir philosophies. Further research and educational efforts to counter their effects is necessary.