Anti-vaxxers have been around long before covid. I think the recent trend can be traced back to a Dr Andrew Wakefield who had his medical ticket pulled for fraudulent research linking the MMR vaccine to autism. Despite all the evidence against him he still has a following. The internet just means he can find an audience more easily.
I know a family whose child died because she was too young to be vaccinated. These parents watched their child slowly choke to death because people in their community wouldn't vaccinate against whooping cough. So I am far from unbiased on the issue.
https://campaigns.health.gov.au/immu...t-immunisation