Study Reveals Three Reasons Why Amish (Often) Reject Vaccines
In the lead article for the 10th issue of The Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities (JPAC), three Amish scholars from West Virginia University examined why the Amish are often reluctant to take advantage of vaccines, both now and in the past.
The study was conducted by Rachel E. Stein, Katie E. Corcoran and Corey Coyler, from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at West Virginia University. They set the stage by observing:
“The introduction of vaccines into society did not create automatic compliance. While widespread vaccine uptake could reduce the incidence of disease and limit outbreaks, many people remained skeptical or did not seek out the preventive procedure. As vaccines advanced and became available for routine childhood illnesses, the distrust of medicine grew. The government developed initiatives to require childhood vaccinations, which, in turn, created resistance to government interference in personal health decisions… Many state governments responded to the lack of preventive action with compulsory immunization laws for public schools. The laws were effective in vaccinating school-aged children, and many parents generally followed the guidance of their physicians to vaccinate their children…” (page 1)
Noting that “In the United States, religious conservatism correlates with higher vaccine hesitancy and lower rates of vaccine uptake…”, the authors also emphasize that even among adherents to conservative faith groups, there is considerable variability in their views of vaccines and willingness to use vaccines for preventable diseases. As well, Stein, Corcoran and Coyler emphasize that:
“No explicit laws or rules within the Amish and Old Order Mennonite traditions unequivocally prohibit vaccination. As such, the Amish and Old Order Mennonites must reflect on and decide how their moral core and values translate into vaccination attitudes and behaviors for themselves and their families.” (page 4)
In order to bring more understanding to Amish and Old Order Conservative families in the Greater Holmes County settlement (the second largest), the authors used data conducted by the doctors at the New Leaf Clinic for Special Children in Mt. Eaton concerning their attitudes about vaccinating their children.
“We examine the open-ended responses to six questions that asked respondents directly about vaccinating their children. There were 232 total open-ended responses to these questions…The first question…asked respondents about their plans for giving baby shots, ranging from giving all to not giving any. The following three questions sought elaboration, asking the parent to explain their rationale. The survey presented respondents with a list of options for each question and allowed them to write in a response labeled “other.” The fifth question asked whether giving baby shots disagrees with respondents’ spiritual beliefs (yes/no) and prompted, “if yes, please describe how.” Finally, the survey asked respondents if they would give their child the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine if it were to become available (yes/no) and asked them to provide additional context…The current study focuses on the written responses to the open-ended prompts across the six questions.” (pages 6 and 7)
Three Explanations for Amish Vaccine Reluctance
The authors’ examination of the responses led them to three fundamental themes. First, many of the responses pointed to “Faith in God”, that is, it is God who has control over their lives.
“While the Amish are not fatalistic, they do submit to the authority of God. The respondents present a strong sense of faith, which reflects the moral core and values of the Amish and Old Order Mennonite people. One…respondent notes, “We depend on God for our health, not shots. If God intends us to get sick, we want to endure it with patience.” This respondent’s ultimate trust in God is evident. Their consideration looks past disease risk, trusting that God is in control. Gelassenheit, or the submission to higher authority, animates this comment.” (page 9)
A second theme was a greater reliance on “nature”, that is, on natural products instead of a reliance on “modern medicine”, which is considered less natural and more artificial.
“…we find some Amish respondents give a rationale behind their decisions not to vaccinate, emphasizing using natural products rather than mainstream medicine….’I feel that we should rely on God’s herbs instead of man-made chemicals as much as possible.’ Using natural products, or products from God, aligns with values associated with trust in God. Submission to a higher authority can also be linked to tradition…An Amish respondent, for example, notes they did not vaccinate their children and indicates, ‘Our parents and grandparents believe in the body’s natural immune systems.’ This viewpoint reflects not only the reliance on family values but also submission to God and God’s creation, including the body’s natural resilience.” (pages 8 and 9)
Biblical standards constitutes the third theme found in their analysis of responses to the open-ended questions.
“References to biblical texts are evident in comments related to specific vaccine ingredients, including concerns about microchips added to vaccines. These comments echo the…narrative of microchips in vaccines that gained widespread media attention during COVID-19. One…respondent writes, “Most concern is that they are able to inject the computer chip (666) with the flu shot. Read Rev [Revelations] 13.”…We find similar results regarding the use of fetal cells in vaccine production. Consistently, respondents note that the use of fetal cells in vaccine production is immoral. The Amish and Old Order Mennonites, like conservative Christians, believe in the sanctity of life and are strongly opposed to any form of abortion. For example, an Old Order Mennonite respondent notes, “It bothers us that they have to use tissues from aborted babies,” and an Amish respondent writes, “Some shots are made using parts of aborted babies.” (pages 10 and 11)
Stein, Corcoran and Coyler do caution that “Distrust of vaccines does not lead to refusal across all respondents, as some respondents highlight selected vaccination practices.” (page 9). Further, some of the respondents questioned an over-reliance on all natural products, and one respondent observed different points of view about vaccination even with the same church district.
“While the Amish and Old Order Mennonites are often considered tight-knit communities…that doesn’t mean they are impervious to outside, non-Plain people’s influence…Several researchers note the role of non-Amish “taxi” drivers, who transport Amish to these various activities…Stoltzfus (2021), for example, notes that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the drivers were likely to share stories about the COVID-19 vaccine, including how the government was using computer chips in the shots to track people’s movement. Additionally, Thomas et al. (2021) report van drivers often tune in to conservative talk radio, allowing the passengers to pick up the broadcasted messaging…Perhaps because of this exposure, we see much overlap between the Amish responses and mainstream, conservative Christian narratives. These suspicions convey conspiracy tropes of microchips, aborted fetal material, and other evil vaccine ingredients. Notably, some survey respondents questioned the factual status of these narratives and expressed interest in learning more about vaccines. Such curiosity allows doctors and other trusted health care providers to answer questions and correct the narratives…” (page 13)
“To this end, local health departments created and mailed informational pamphlets about COVID-19, vaccines, and social distancing guidelines tailored to Amish cultural sensibilities (Harasta, 2021). However, many Amish people take cues from non-Amish, rural neighbors, who were generally less compliant with government-directed pandemic mitigation tactics, such as masking, social distancing, and staying home (Harasta, 2021). Local newspapers conveyed inconsistent messages about the pandemic’s seriousness, and Amish leaders differed in their understanding of COVID-19’s threat to communities, preventing unified messaging from Amish bishops…” (page 13)
The authors conclude with the following recommendation:
“This study highlights the importance of moral worldviews for understanding the vaccination attitudes and decisions of Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities. Within these communities, there is variation in vaccination decisions and the reasonings beyond them. Further research is needed to elucidate the contexts and factors that lead some Plain people to link vaccines to religious values interpreted as opposing, supporting, or being neutral to vaccination. The results of this study suggest that family and community connections and interactions may be fruitful avenues for doing so.” (page 13 and 14)
If readers wish to follow-up with reading additional research about Amish and Old Order Mennonite attitudes toward vaccines, the various references in the quotes can be found in this volume 5, issue 2 article. Go to https://plainanabaptistjournal.org.
This article and many more on health issues can be found in various issues of the Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities. In the upper right hand corner, there is window to begin the registration process. Registering for JPAC requires only a few minute of one’s time. Once registered, you will alerted to the release of new JPAC issues, which is published twice yearly.
~Joseph F. Donnermeyer | Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University | Co-editor, The Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities
Amish And Vaccines
Aborted fetal tissue and microchips?? Must admit, that’s a new one by me. I find this highly suspect. But I can’t help but wonder who’s telling the Plain folks these things?? Conservative radio programs?? Well SHAME on them for doing so. Why anyone believes this stuff is beyond me. I just think the government has better things to do with their time than follow people around, especially given the fact that so many Americans have no problem answering questions truthfully when asked. But, since there are no laws mandating the Plain folks to go get these vaccines, then I guess it’s true what they say: “To each their own.” Fascinating story, Erik. Thanks very much for sharing it with us.
It is partially true
The fetal fibroblast cells used to grow vaccine viruses were first obtained from elective termination of two pregnancies in the early 1960s.
Vax
well I guess you haven’t done your research. There certainly IS aborted fetal tissue in some of them. That is why some people got a “religious exemption”. The whole concoction is poison.
There is a law
K.D., I appreciate your perspective, and I hear what you’re saying. I just wanted to add one important clarification: in some states, there are laws that directly affect Plain communities when it comes to vaccines.
For example, New York removed religious exemptions in 2019. Since then, all medically eligible students—Amish included—must be vaccinated to attend school. The only exemption available is medical, and it has to be documented by a licensed provider.
So for families in those districts, it isn’t simply “to each their own.” There are real legal and financial consequences. In fact, earlier this year Amish America covered a case where Amish parents were fined for refusing vaccinations under this law.
It’s a complicated topic, and I appreciate Erik for giving space to talk about it with nuance.
https://amishamerica.com/no-vaccine-exemption-for-amish-children-amish-fined-118000-dollars/
Vaccines
Maybe those Amish and conservative Mennonites forgot what happened when many of them contacted smallpox and flu during the early 1900’s.
Maybe they’ve heard of blacks and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.
The Amish are not alone
I appreciated this article because it reflects what I’ve seen over the years while spending time in Amish communities. Many Amish families simply haven’t felt a pressing need for vaccines, largely because their lives stay centered around home, church, and community. With home births, parochial schools, and working within Amish-owned businesses, their daily rhythms are fairly insulated.
For many, the question is rooted less in medical distrust and more in a deep belief that God created the body with remarkable resilience. Combined with careful living, herbal remedies, and a strong sense of stewardship, they feel that preventive shots aren’t always necessary. That matches some of the quotes highlighted in the study:
“We depend on God for our health, not shots.”
“We should rely on God’s herbs instead of man-made chemicals as much as possible.”
As a driver, I’ve seen this practical trust firsthand. Once, when I stayed overnight with a family whose child had chicken pox, no one treated it as an emergency. It was simply handled with patience and care. Experiences like that have shaped my understanding of how Amish families navigate health choices.
I also had to smile at the mention of Amish taxi drivers influencing discussions—there’s truth to the fact that drivers, talk radio, and road conversations can shape opinions just as much as any outside source.
What stood out most in this research is how closely Amish reasoning mirrors that of many conservative Christians nationwide. For most, the choice to vaccinate—or not—is approached thoughtfully, prayerfully, and without hostility toward those who decide differently. I know a few Amish who chose the COVID vaccine, and many who did not. Each family weighed it in their own way.
This is a sensitive topic, and I’m grateful the authors handled it with nuance. When we take time to understand each other’s values, we’re better able to live peaceably, respect personal responsibility, and allow room for differing convictions—something that remains one of this country’s strengths.
Reply
I agree very much…this is a hard topic for a lot but if we can set our differences aside we can learn about one another and can make our understanding and bond as humans and Christians stronger and unbreakable…”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path”.
Christians Do What God Says
I understand that the Amish are NOT Christian and thus don’t understand God’s Word completely. However, for born again Christian’s (aka TRUE Christian’s) God’s Word is clear. The reason we do not take vaccines or ANY pharmaceutical drugs (Pharmakeia = Sorcery) is because sorcery is detestable to God, as it involves practices like witchcraft and divination that challenge His sovereignty. Passages such as Exodus 22:18 and Deuteronomy 18:10-12 explicitly condemn sorcery and prescribe severe penalties for those who engage in it. This is important context.
Reply
WOW! I didn’t know that…two abortions are what has been in our vaccines one in the 1960’s and one in the 1980’s how sad! I really don’t like these topics anyways because many people vary in ideas…I respect everyone’s opinions and won’t share my personal opinion on this but it really is WOW….really its the only word I can think about where certain vaccines have come from abortions….I will say whatever choice you make think first and don’t try to force your ideas on anyone just be open to peoples different views and let God handle the rest. “God’s hand that holds the ocean’s depth can hold my small affairs. His hand, which guides the universe, can carry all my cares”. Amish Proverb
Covid killed 1.2 million Americans
Perhaps the Amish are not aware that the covid epidemic killed more than a million Americans who were not vaccinated.
Reply
Man….they must have really cut back on contact with Englisch during that time. As far as I am aware everyone of them knows that this happened…..also how many people died that did have the shot? I am not saying you are wrong just think… are you going to be told to do something if you don’t want to because of the harm or other things it brings? I don’ t think so….why shouldn’t the same apply for everyone.
Pharmakeia is Sorcery
I realize that the Amish are NOT Christian and thus don’t understand God’s Word completely. But for born again Christian’s (aka TRUE Christian’s) God’s Word is clear. The reason we do not take vaccines or ANY pharmaceutical drugs (Pharmakeia = Sorcery) is because sorcery is detestable to God, as it involves practices like witchcraft and divination that challenge His sovereignty. Passages such as Exodus 22:18 and Deuteronomy 18:10-12 explicitly condemn sorcery and prescribe severe penalties for those who engage in it.
Pharmakeia is Sorcery
I realize that the Amish are NOT Christian and thus don’t understand God’s Word completely. Some do try to follow God’s Word, but for born again Christian’s (aka TRUE Christian’s) God’s Word is clear. The reason we do not take vaccines or ANY pharmaceutical drugs (Pharmakeia = Sorcery) is because sorcery is detestable to God, as it involves practices like witchcraft and divination that challenge His sovereignty. Passages such as Exodus 22:18 and Deuteronomy 18:10-12 explicitly condemn sorcery and prescribe severe penalties for those who engage in it.