Paper short abstract:

This paper examines the 2015 measles outbreak in Los Angeles. It explores the entanglement of affect and rationality in mandatory vaccination as produced in television, social media and public policy.

Paper long abstract:

In April 2015 California public health officials declared the end of the measles outbreak that sickened 150 people and was linked to one visitor to Disneyland in December 2014. However, the outbreak also ignited a political push for mandatory immunization in the State of California that met with a contentious pull back by middle class communities in affluent areas of Los Angeles County. Governor Jerry Brown signed the SB 277 in July 2015; one of the nation's strictest mandatory vaccination bills. It revoked parents' ability to cite religious or personal beliefs in seeking exemptions.

This paper analyses the public debate over mandatory vaccination as it was produced and performed in television, the media, and social media settings. It examines the entanglements of affect and rationality in the specific vaccine regime of the State of California and Los Angeles County. It discusses pro- and anti-vaxer arguments of liberty and morality as they position themselves against each other in verbally aggressive campaigns via social media and popular television programs. Their arguments are grounded in their notions of moral and ethical debates over autonomy, liberty and power.