Dr. Theresa Tam says very divisive bots have been spreading false claims about vaccinations -- and she adds misinformation on social media is considered at least partly to blame for the 300-per-cent global increase this year in measles.
Tam says bad actors online can be very effective in sowing mistrust among parents, planting doubts and persuading people that a vaccination debate is underway among credible health experts, when in fact, she notes, there is no debate. Speaking to reporters after an event Friday in Ottawa, Tam says there are concerns Canada's vaccine coverage could slide from its current level -- which she described as not high enough, though not terrible.
She says anyone is potentially susceptible to misinformation online because even a short exposure to it can change someone's mind, and she adds it's of particular concern considering 20 to 30 per cent of parents have questions about vaccines. Tam says the key is to make sure parents with questions get science-based, credible answers from health providers.
The uneducated, lack common sense parents need to wake up & start vaccinating their kids. Stop getting info from stupid anecdotal posts
we don't want to be regressing in public health and dealing with diseases which have been eradicated by vaccinations. we have the prevention available. use it.
Vaccines protect people from many illnesses. It is important to get vaccinated. I understand if people aren’t able to get vaccines for medical reasons such as allergies. Otherwise, it is best to get vaccinated. Protect yourself and others around you.
FridayFeeling Endgame Breaking Need I say more? Do you want to be a customer for life or do you want to be free of Big Pharma's bondage? You decide!
Breaking Big Pharma is a organized criminal organization! Protect yourself and your children by saying no to injecting poisons into your body WakeUp
We don't want your vaccines because we believe in our God given Immune systems!
the same trolls and bots in CP24 comments?
It's beginning to seem like they REALLY want to inject something into EVERYONE.
It’s a problem that solves itself. The folks that are getting medical advice from social media will die. It’s called natural selection.
Easier to blame them than accept responsibility yourselves. The non stop lies from “experts” about climate change, taxes and even gender have left many questioning real science like vaccines. Media’s fault. Too much crying wolf. Now no one knows when it’s real.
Those are hardworking conservatives not bots or trolls
Until it's mandatory, it's still a choice
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