Opponents of vaccines in Israel and their justifications to operating and spreading their position

Abstract Background One of the things the world was waiting for during the COVID-19 epidemic was the development of a vaccine. However, there was also a growing fear of this expressed in the lack of compliance and even active resistance to the vaccine. Identifying and analyzing the justifications for resistance to vaccines could lead to a significant reduction of it, which would contribute to public health. Aim To examine the justifications that guide vaccine opponents, not only in not getting vaccinated, but also in spreading their opposition. Methods Qualitative research using text analysis of three central public websites, covering the spectrum of positions re- vaccines: 1. The Ministry of Health - identified as an ‘objective’ website. 2. Midaat - Science and Information for Family Health - identified as a website ‘in favor’ of vaccines. 3. PECC - Health, Science, Truth - identified as a website ‘against’ vaccines. Findings: According to the Health Belief Model (HBM, 1956), the perception of being affected by the disease and the perception of the severity of the disease are low and therefore the threat perception is also low, as is the cost-benefit perception. The barriers to change perception expressed internal barriers, such as fear of a new vaccine and fear of foreign substances in the body; and external barriers, first and foremost a lack of trust in the government in general and the health system particularly, in addition to development of conspiracy justifications claiming that the vaccines are a mechanism of the government to control the population. Another justification related to the pharmaceutical industries’ financial interests, i.e., their attempts to get rich by ‘inventing a disease’ and providing a vaccine Conclusions Public trust has been significantly compromised as a result of conflicting and changing instructions, especially during lockdowns. Fake news were distributed on social networks. Necessitating a national confrontation with the issue. Key messages • It is important to identify the justifications vaccine opponents use, so that explanations focus on all concerns and developments of false agendas that damage public trust and hence public health. • Israel should not take fake news lightly. The government must understand the negative consequences of it, and act to eradicate it through supervision, as is customary in other countries.