Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is wading into the vaccination debate, as his newest book club choice tackles “anti-vaxxers” and disproves their various arguments – without actually focusing on the anti-vaccination movement by name.
Zuckerberg has chosen On Immunity by Eula Biss, one of the New York Times Book Review’s 10 Best Books of 2014. And in his recommendation, Zuckerberg has made a clear, succinct plea for the power of vaccinations.
“Vaccination is an important and timely topic. The science is completely clear: vaccinations work and are important for the health of everyone in our community,” says Zuckerberg in a Facebook post. “This book explores the reasons why some people question vaccines, and then logically explains why the doubts are unfounded and vaccines are in fact effective and safe.”
Though the science behind vaccinations couldn’t be clearer, a growing group of parents are choosing to forgo their children’s vaccinations. Recent outbreaks of measles have thrust the topic of vaccinations to the head of public health debate.
Zuckerberg weighing in on this is even more timely, as a recent report from WIRED suggested that Silicon Valley is particularly fond having their kids of forgo vaccinations. Whether the data on daycare vaccination rates shows a legitimate trend in Silicon Valley or just lagging record keeping is still undetermined.
“This book was recommended to me by scientists and friends who work in public health,” says Zuckerberg of his choice.
Despite saying this, some on Facebook are already questioning his motivation.
“Is this your choice to post this or have you been asked to?” asks one commenter.
“It’s my choice,” says Zuckerberg. “Who could make me do this?”