Khamelia Jones

Professor Caitlin Geoghan

FIQWS 10113

October 4, 2020

Metaphors are often used by a writer to make their topic relatable. This connection enhances the writer’s understanding of the topic being discussed. This figure of speech is common among medicine because it helps to bridge the gap of misunderstanding. The way a metaphor is comprehended influences the reader’s perception of the topic. They are influenced to have either a negative or positive point of view. In “On Immunity”, Biss discusses the different ways metaphors influence how vaccinations are viewed. Similarly, “The Anti-vaccination Movement: A Regression in Modern Medicine” by Azhar Hussain introduces a frequently used metaphors that lead to the development of the anti-vaccination movement.  These metaphors often obscure the reality of vaccinations by presenting it as a negative action. Viewing vaccination as a negative action, could cause one to reject a procedure that is mean to protect them. This would cause more harm than good.

In “On Immunity”, Biss mentions how vaccinations are viewed negatively based on the metaphors it is paired with. The writing states  “The mark of the beast,  some feared. In an Anglican archbishop’s 1882 sermon, vaccination was akin to an injection of sin.”  (Biss 13) The term injection is usually associated with violence. The thought of an “injection” would normally be a needle being forced into the skin. The word “sin” , is generally connected to religion. To commit a sin has a negative meaning. This means the person has transgressed against god’s law and is now unrighteous. When the phrase injection of sin is used as a metaphor when discussing vaccination, it gives this medical process a negative implication. 

Being “marked” typically means to be chosen or claimed for a punishment. This “mark” would be permanent. The word beast is frequently interpreted as the devil or the antichrist (against god). In the past, certain vaccinations would leave a unique scar that would be permanent. Knowing that the mark would be permanent, some believed that once they receive one vaccination there is no turning back and will forever be “marked as a beast”. With this phrase being included in the topic of vaccination, this procedure is considered to claim their victim as beasts who oppose god.

By using religion and beliefs in metaphors about vaccines, it forces one to look at immunization from a different perspective. By the term “ injection of sin ”, it can be viewed that the vaccination will fill the person with sin leaving them unrighteous before God. The “ mark of the beast ” saying means that after vaccination, the mark that is left on the skin signifies the devil and is to be feared. Therefore not only does vaccination fill you with sin but also marks you as allies with the devil and foe to god.

Being that the metaphors make you believe that vaccination fills you with sin and marks you as allies with the devil, foe with God, it harms the view of immunization. This will make religious people believe that by getting vaccination they will be seen as unholy by god. 

“Vaccinations are inappropriate meddling in the work of God” is a quote Hussain uses to describe religious viewpoints on immunization. Using the word “meddling” aims to provide a sense of being intrusive and disrupting the general flow without right. Dissecting the phrase of “the work of god” would make one reflect on the bible and the belief in God’s teachings. “Dutch-Protestant Christian congregations believe that we should not change the predestined fate of someone who becomes ill.” (Hussain)  Disrupting their fate would be seen as going against God’s wishes. 

The metaphor harms the reality of vaccination by comparing it to going against God’s will. Whether someone is religious or not, opposing God is usually negative. This metaphor would make vaccination be perceived as having a lack of trust and belief in God. A religious person would never want to be viewed by God as a non-believer who doesn’t trust and have faith. Therefore, hearing this metaphor would push them further away from becoming vaccinated and closer to becoming part of the anti-vaccination movement.

The metaphors from both Biss and Hussain provide the same purpose and effect on viewers. They emphasize how much of an impact religion has on the anti-vaccination movement. The metaphors in both writings obscure the reality of vaccination. Vaccines help one gain immunity to a disease before getting the disease. The purpose of a vaccination is to protect and save lives. Overall, the motive behind immunizations are positive.  Since the metaphors depict vaccination as going against God’s will–which is negative–it is seen to obscure the true meaning of vaccination.

Both articles outline the distinct ways in which metaphors can impact a person’s viewpoint on a particular subject. By using metaphors in medicine and altering one’s viewpoints, the selection of care can also be influenced. This change can affect the person in a negative way by refusing correct treatments–vaccinations.

Biss, E. B. (2014). On Immunity. Graywolf Press.Hussain, A. H. (2018, July 1). The Anti-vaccination Movement: A Regression in Modern Medicine. PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6122668/#REF47