 |
| The measles outbreak in Samoa has claimed 62 lives since mid-October (AFP Photo/ALLAN STEPHEN) |
Social media giants must crack down on anti-vaccination posts that are fuelling Samoa's deadly measles epidemic from afar, UNICEF's Pacific islands chief said Thursday.
Sheldon
Yett, the regional representative for the UN children's agency, said
"incredibly irresponsible" online material on platforms such as
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram had exacerbated the Samoa measles outbreak --
which has claimed 62 lives since mid-October -- by discouraging immunisation.
"It's
quite clear that they have a corporate responsibility to step up to the plate
and make sure that populations, particularly vulnerable populations, get
accurate information that's going to keep children alive," Yett told AFP.
Immunisation
rates in Samoa dropped to just over 30 percent before the outbreak, well below
accepted best practice of around 90 percent, making the island nation extremely
vulnerable to infection.
The World
Health Organisation blamed an anti-vaccine messaging campaign, which Yett said
was carried out largely online by overseas-based activists.
"It's
quite obvious that there are very loud people on social media making very false
claims about vaccines," he said.
"Unfortunately
it's found a ready audience in Samoa, where some people are suspicious about
the quality of healthcare and may have issues with local (vaccine)
providers."
 |
Immunisation
rates in Samoa dropped to just over 30 percent before the outbreak,
well below
accepted best practice of around 90 percent, making the island nation
extremely
vulnerable to infection (AFP Photo/ALLAN STEPHEN)
|
He said
activists posting anti-vaccine material from wealthy developed countries such
as the United States and Australia needed to realise the impact of their
actions in developing nations.
"It's
devastating, it can be a death sentence for a child here where there's low
immunisation and possibly other health issues going on in the background,"
he said from the capital Apia.
'No easy
fix'
Yett said suspicion
of vaccines in Samoa stemmed from a case last year when two babies died after
receiving measles shots, leading to an eight-month suspension of the country's
immunisation programme.
Subsequent
investigations found there was no problem with the vaccine itself, but the
nurses administering it accidentally mixed it with anaesthetic, instead of
water.
However,
trust in the immunisation programme was dented and anti-vaxxers stepped up
efforts to push their agenda online, creating what Yett described as "a
perfect formula" for an uncontrollable epidemic.
The
activists have also hindered efforts to control the outbreak, with one
prominent Australian-based blogger last week comparing compulsory vaccinations
to Nazi Germany and saying "fascism is well and truly alive in
Samoa".
 |
Yett said
health authorities' focus at the moment was containing an epidemic
that was
still raging (AFP Photo/ALLAN STEPHEN)
|
Others have
promoted quick remedies such as "kangen water", an alkaline water
which supporters say can cure measles, despite no scientific evidence.
Yett said
health authorities' focus at the moment was containing an epidemic that was
still raging, resulting in fresh infections and child deaths every day.
But he said
once it was over there had to be discussion with platforms such as Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram about their approach to anti-vaccine material.
He said
informed debate was important but it was wrong to allow online activists to
question the effectiveness of vaccines, which the WHO estimates have saved the
lives of 21 million children over the past 20 years.
"It's
not easy, nobody wants to be a censor," he said.
"Companies
have a responsibility to do it, but we also have to be honest and say there's
no easy fix where they can flick a switch."
He conceded
the clicks generated by heated online debate about vaccines could prevent the
platforms from wanting to take swift action on the issue.
"We
shouldn't be naive, there are many counter incentives here for social media
giants as well," he said.
Related Articles:
Related Articles:
Question (2003): Dear Kryon, I have a new grandson. He's going for his first vaccination in the next few weeks. If we're beginning to transmute toxins with reconnections to our endocrine system through our DNA, then what happens to our babies, who by law have to be vaccinated? What are your thoughts on this subject?
Answer: First, know that vaccinations are a God-given science that humanity earned. They're a tried and proven homeopathic method that have been with you for years. You were probably vaccinated yourself, and it worked.
We have three answers: (1) God is not in a vacuum. Even the vaccinated Human Being who's older can modify and rework their DNA. So there's no time limit, and there are no rules that say "Once vaccinated, you're ruined." (2) The Human who is of the age of awareness can say, even as they are vaccinated, "Let nothing inappropriate enter my chemistry." This is a conscious instruction given to your "intelligent cellular structure" (the same one responsible for kinesiology and homeopathic results). This will result in your cells only using what they need and casting away everything else. (3) Finally, about babies: There has been a push by your science lately to vaccinate against many things at the same time. You'd be advised to seek out a doctor who will only vaccinate your child for only the basic diseases that have been known in the last 40 years. Eliminate the vaccinations for the new ones. This leaves you with approximately seven or eight - the very ones that have been used for years. What your science is not appreciating yet is the results of combining all the vaccination substances together. There's a problem that will show itself in time. Stick with the basic ones.
We have three answers: (1) God is not in a vacuum. Even the vaccinated Human Being who's older can modify and rework their DNA. So there's no time limit, and there are no rules that say "Once vaccinated, you're ruined." (2) The Human who is of the age of awareness can say, even as they are vaccinated, "Let nothing inappropriate enter my chemistry." This is a conscious instruction given to your "intelligent cellular structure" (the same one responsible for kinesiology and homeopathic results). This will result in your cells only using what they need and casting away everything else. (3) Finally, about babies: There has been a push by your science lately to vaccinate against many things at the same time. You'd be advised to seek out a doctor who will only vaccinate your child for only the basic diseases that have been known in the last 40 years. Eliminate the vaccinations for the new ones. This leaves you with approximately seven or eight - the very ones that have been used for years. What your science is not appreciating yet is the results of combining all the vaccination substances together. There's a problem that will show itself in time. Stick with the basic ones.
No comments:
Post a Comment