‘Let’s tackle online vaccine myths’

THE Health Minister has said we need to be careful about the impact scaremongering on social media can have on the uptake of vital vaccines.

Simon Harris is in Brussels today where he will participate in a council meeting with his counterparts from across the EU, and he is set to speak about the dangers of spreading anti-vaccination myths online.

While Mr Harris acknowledges that ‘technology and online media can be a force for good’, he is concerned about the impact it can have on the uptake of potentially lifesaving jabs when myths are disseminated, online and on social media.

Minister Harris said ‘the efficacy of vaccination is well documented’, and pointed to ‘the virtual eradication of smallpox and elimination of polio, increased protection for women and girls against cervical cancer and the protection of the vulnerable against influenza’, which are ‘all are due to vaccination’.

But he will tell colleagues about the impact myths and unverified information had on HPV vaccines in Ireland recently, when uptake of the jab fell to approximately 50% during the 2016/2017 period.

He told the Irish Daily Mail that ‘there have been attempts to spread fear and scaremonger’, and added: ‘This is an issue that we in Ireland have not been immune to.

‘However, thanks to the efforts of the HSE and like-minded groups such as the HPV Alliance, we are seeing some of the negative trends being reversed.’

The Minister praised the work of the HSE in promoting its HPV Information Campaign, which has subsequently resulted in an increase in uptake rates to 65% this year.

‘Technology and online media can be a force for good when used in the public interest. However, we must be cognisant of the pitfalls of relying on social media for health advice,’ he said.

He added: ‘Scaremongering, such as linking the measles vaccine to autism or the HPV vaccine with serious side effects, can have negative, and potentially long-lasting, consequences.

‘Unfortunately, there are numerous examples of the devastating impact this scaremongering can have – both in terms of loss of life and reduced quality of living, outcomes made all the more heart-breaking and frustrating because they are avoidable.’

Minister Harris said Ireland has seen declining vaccination rates leading to measles outbreaks in children, and stressed the need to use ‘every tool’ possible to promote the benefits of vaccination – which, he said, means using the internet in a positive manner.’ He added that ‘targeted action works’.

It comes as the Government plans to extend its HPV vaccination programme next year to include schoolboys.