Why rich countries are more prone to 'vaccine hesitancy'

Protesters in Bordeaux, south-western France, demonstrating against the extension of compulsory vaccinations for young children. France's Parliament in 2017 passed a law increasing the number of vaccinations for children born after the beginning of l
Protesters in Bordeaux, south-western France, demonstrating against the extension of compulsory vaccinations for young children. France's Parliament in 2017 passed a law increasing the number of vaccinations for children born after the beginning of last year. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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The richer countries are, the less their citizens believe that vaccines are safe. In the United States and Canada, only 72 per cent believe vaccines are safe.

In the northern European arc from Ireland and Britain through the Nordic countries, the figure is about 73 per cent.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 27, 2019, with the headline Why rich countries are more prone to 'vaccine hesitancy'. Subscribe