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Short abstract:

This paper explores vaccine hesitancy in Brazil, examining the Vaccine Riot of 1904 and the 'Doctors for Life' anti-vaccine movement during and after COVID-19. It delves into historical and contemporary contexts to extract lessons for addressing vaccine hesitancy.

Long abstract:

The paper delves into the social history of epidemics, particularly focusing on vaccine hesitancy in Brazil within two epidemic contexts: the 'Revolta da Vacina' (Vaccine Riot) of 1904 and the anti-vaccine movement led by 'Médicos pela Vida' (Doctors for Life) during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Vaccine Riot marked a transformative period in Brazilian society, showcasing urbanization and bourgeois trends, the COVID-19 pandemic illuminated unresolved issues, sparking controversies between science, institutions, and society.

The 'Doctors for Life' association, active during the health crisis, vehemently opposed vaccination and advocated for alternative treatments, prompting inquiries into the conditions facilitating their influence on medical practice and society. Pandemic uncertainties, spanning scientific challenges, knowledge production, information dissemination, and institutional responses, significantly contribute to shaping the anti-vaccination landscape.

Groups like 'Doctors for Life' strategically exploit these uncertainties to influence social behaviors, emphasizing the manipulation potential within a sanitary crisis. Analysis of historical and contemporary contexts draws from the literature on the Vaccine Riot, the WHO's concept of 'vaccine hesitancy,' and empirical research on Doctors for Life in Brazil since 2020. This comprehensive exploration underscores the intricate interplay between intentional actors and societal responses to vaccination, providing valuable insights for understanding and addressing vaccine hesitancy in the ongoing battle against infectious diseases.