THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS ASKS FACEBOOK, GOOGLE AND PINTEREST TO STOP THE SPREAD OF ANTI-VACCINE PUBLICATIONS

Concerned about the measles epidemic that is advancing in the United States (and the rest of the world), and the growing anti-vaccine movement, recently listed by WHO as one of the ten threats to global health in 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has requested Google, Facebook and Pinterest, join forces to combat deceptive information contrary to the vaccines circulated on the Internet.

Facebook already announced a few days ago through a statement, its intention to fight the anti-vaccine movement. And is that the involvement of all social sectors is necessary to reduce this tremendous threat that affects the health of all people, especially children.

The call of the AAP to fight against the vaccines

On March 4, the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Kyle E. Yasuda, sent three personalized letters to the executive directors from Google (YouTube), Facebook (Instagram and WhatsApp) and Pinterest, which highlighted the growing threat that anti-vaccine propaganda poses to children's health.

According to Dr. Yasuda in his letters to the three multinationals, pediatricians are aware that Internet and social networks have become an important source of information for parents, who access forums and websites in search of data on the health of their children.

In Babies and more Handbook of Vaccines for Parents: proven, scientific and truthful information on vaccines

But the president of the AAP says that this can have fatal consequences if the information they read is wrong and without scientific basis.

And, although science has shown that vaccines are safe, effective and save lives, unfortunately there is much inaccurate and misleading content on the Internet against vaccination that users easily access.

While Facebook, Google and Pinterest have indicated that they are taking steps to address this issue on their respective platforms, the AAP calls for more effort from everyone.

In this way, Dr. Yasuda makes a Appeal to the three presidents of the companies to meet and discuss a strategy to follow, which guarantees families that the information they find on the Internet about vaccines comes from reliable and scientific sources.

Pediatricians are very worried

The letters, sent to Sundar Pichai, executive director of Google, Mark Zuckerberg, founder and executive director of Facebook, and Ben Silbermann, co-founder and executive director of Pinterest, begin expressing the concern of the pediatricians of the AAP before the growing false spread against vaccines.

In Babies and more The anti-vaccine movement, one of the main health risks for Europeans, according to the WHO

"As president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, my main mission is to ensure the health of children. That is why I am writing to request your collaboration to face together a public health crisis that threatens the health of children throughout the country: the spread of erroneous information about vaccines. "
"Our worst fears are materializing as measles outbreaks across the country grow. This life-threatening disease that we had eradicated with an effective vaccine, is now endangering entire communities. My home state, Washington, has declared a public health emergency, and I'm afraid other states will follow the same trend. "

Social networks, source of massive information

The letters of the president of the AAP continue to focus on the field that social networks have gained in recent years, as a source of mass information for families about health issues related to children.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics has been reporting on vaccines for many years. Pediatricians do a great job informing families about the importance of vaccinating their children to protect their health. But these strategies are no longer enough."
"Internet and social networks have become valuable tools for parents when making decisions about the health of your children. But we must ensure that the decisions they make are based on scientific data from trusted sources. "

In Babies and more WHO again warns of dangerous myths about vaccination

"Science is solid: vaccines are safe, effective and save lives. However, long-discredited theories that claim otherwise proliferate on the Internet. Reports show that there are parents who have been attracted to ads and publications sponsored by marginal groups, with the intention of deceiving them during a key moment of vulnerability in their lives. "
"And I'm worried about the elevation of misleading content on YouTube and Google search. Because on a subject like vaccines, misinformation can be deadly. "

Measles and other diseases can be life-threatening for some children

Dr. Yasuda reports in his letters to the three multinationals of the serious risks of immunosuppressed children and babies who have not yet completed their vaccination schedule if they come into contact with diseases such as measles, currently booming due to anti-vaccine movements.

"Immunocompromised children and babies too young to be vaccinated are at serious risk of getting measles or other diseases if come into contact with an unvaccinated child who contracted the virus. The doctor's office, school classrooms, movie theaters, amusement parks ... are places that are part of childhood routines, which become potential epicenters for rapid and massive exposure. "
"Pediatricians talk to families every day about children's health and respect parents who disagree with us. But we have found that continuing to talk with those undecided families about vaccination is the best thing we can do to ensure that they consider vaccinating "

The AAP calls for the union of all

And finally, the president of the AAP sends a strong message to the executive directors of the three platforms: it is necessary to join forces and commit to eliminate all kinds of false information about vaccines. And for this, he proposes a meeting that helps define the best strategy to follow.

"We have an opportunity, and in my opinion, an obligation, of work together to solve this public health crisis. We must assume commitments from all social sectors (local and federal government, medical community, and technology industry) to achieve it. "
"Pediatricians are ready and willing to work with you to ensure that the facts are prioritized over the wrong information, and build trust in vaccines and their protection. Pediatricians understand science and know how to communicate it. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet to discuss how we can work better together. "

I hope this call from the AAP culminates in a real effort of the three platforms for eradicate all kinds of misleading and dangerous information about vaccines, so that we can end, once and for all, with the spread of false myths about vaccination.

Photos | iStock