Is the Pro-Vaccine Majority Being Silenced? Shocking Truths You Need to Know NOW!

This month marks the beginning of a pivotal role for me as the Director of NH Families for Vaccines, an organization dedicated to mobilizing New Hampshire’s pro-vaccine majority amidst a climate where public health discussions are increasingly politicized and misunderstood. My journey into this position is not simply professional; it is deeply personal and rooted in a family tradition that has long valued public health, long before it became a contentious issue.

Sharing a birthday with my grandmother, a former nurse who witnessed firsthand the devastation of infectious disease before vaccines were widely accessible, has shaped my understanding of health and community. In my family, prioritizing public health has never been a partisan issue; it has always been a matter of common sense, care, and responsibility.

Despite the vocal minority that opposes vaccines, research indicates that a majority of Granite Staters support routine childhood immunizations. Most parents want their children protected from preventable diseases, understanding that vaccines have saved millions of lives and remain among the most effective public health tools available.

However, majorities often lack the organizational power to influence policy effectively. In recent years, a small but persistent anti-vaccine faction has been able to sway legislation and public discourse, showing up strategically at hearings and town halls. Meanwhile, the pro-vaccine majority—comprising parents, health professionals, educators, faith leaders, and everyday citizens—has often assumed that sound science would speak for itself. This complacency can be dangerous.

Public health requires participation and advocacy. It demands that those who believe in evidence-based policy actively raise their voices in various forums—from school board meetings to local elections. Mobilizing the pro-vaccine majority is not about silencing dissent but ensuring that policy reflects sound science and the experiences of families who rely on safe schools and robust healthcare systems.

It’s essential to realize that vaccines are not merely a personal choice; they embody a public trust. They protect vulnerable populations, such as newborns too young to be vaccinated, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, elderly neighbors, and immunocompromised classmates. When vaccination rates decline, outbreaks often follow, a trend we’ve observed across the United States.

I firmly believe that New Hampshire can do better. My goal in this role is straightforward: to unite the silent majority that believes in prevention, science, and mutual protection. This involves equipping individuals with clear, science-based information and organizing them to take a proactive stance rather than merely reacting to misinformation.

Public health is inherently local. It manifests in the school nurse's office, at pediatricians' clinics, and in the lives of working parents who can’t afford to take weeks off from work due to a preventable illness spreading through their children’s classrooms.

For me, this work is deeply intertwined with my personal history. I think of my grandmother's unwavering belief in the importance of scientific care and prevention. Her legacy serves as a reminder that defending public health transcends politics; it fundamentally revolves around people.

The pro-vaccine majority in New Hampshire exists. It is time to organize, mobilize, and lead. The stakes are high, and the time for action is now.

Alyson Fava is the Director for the New Hampshire chapter of American Families for Vaccines.