Jessica Biel Anti-vaxx Controversy

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Part of a series on Anti-Vaccination Movement. [View Related Entries]

Overview

Jessica Biel Anti-vaxx Controversy refers to criticism of actress Jessica Biel and her supposed alignment with the anti-vaccination movement, which the world health organization named one of the 10 threats to global health in 2019.^[1] Biel has since stated that she is "not against vaccinations," but rather supports "children getting vaccinations" and " families having the right to make educated medical decisions for their children alongside their physicians." The controversy began when she appeared in photographs with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental activist and vaccine skeptic, at the California State Senate, opposing a law that would "limit medical exemptions from vaccinations without approval from a state public-health officer."^[2]

Background

On November 12th, 2015, an anonymous source told In Touch Weekly^[5] that "Jessica [Biel] is refusing to vaccinate him. She feels that vaccination could cause complications."

On June 11th, 2019, environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy, who has expressed his skepticism of vaccination in the past,^[3] posted a photograph of himself with actress Jessica Biel at the California State Senate on Instagram. ^[4] He wrote, "Please say thank you to the courageous @jessicabiel for a busy and productive day at the California State House." The post received more than 14,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below).

According to reports, the two had come to the Senate to lobby against SB 276, a law that would reduce and limit medical exemptions from vaccinations, making vaccinations a much stronger requirement in California.

Developments

Online Reactions

People reacted negatively to the news of Biel's opposition to the bill and implied opposition to vaccinations. Twitter user @drg1985 tweeted, ^[6] "For clarity – @JessicaBiel is being criticized for lobbying against life-saving #vaccine laws, not her 'beliefs'. This isn't a matter of opinion, her actions undermine public health. She's using her status to promote debunked conspiracy theories. That deserves harsh criticism." The tweet received more than 640 likes and 165 retweets in 24 hours (shown below, left).

Reporter Anna Merlan,^[7] who broke the story for Jezebel,^[8] tweeted that Biel had refused the "regular vaccine schedule" that was recommended by her family doctor (shown below, center).

Film critic Scott Weinberg joked on Twitter,^[9] "Vaccines definitely work. Movie theaters were vaccinated against Jessica Biel back in 2012 and look. They worked." The post received more than 390 likes and 70 retweets in 24 hours (shown below, right).

Biel's Response

On June 13th, Biel posted an image of herself at the Senate with the caption,^[10] "I am not against vaccinations -- I support children getting vaccinations and I also support families having the right to make educated medical decisions for their children alongside their physicians. My concern with #SB276 is solely regarding medical exemptions. My dearest friends have a child with a medical condition that warrants an exemption from vaccinations, and should this bill pass, it would greatly affect their family’s ability to care for their child in this state. That’s why I spoke to legislators and argued against this bill." The post received more than 128,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below).