Scientists develop new tool to fight anti-vaccine rumours

Scientists have developed a global media surveillance system that monitors public concern about vaccines in real-time. The system enables them to look for, and systematically monitor, up-to-the-minute rumours about vaccines originating from 144 countries. According to an article published online first in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, it could help public health officials respond more quickly and effectively to a loss of public confidence in vaccines before it results in vaccination refusals and disease outbreaks. “Recent measles outbreaks in the UK, stemming from children not-vaccinated due to fears prompted by now-discredited research over a decade ago, is one example of the long-term consequences of broken public trust in vaccines,” explains lead author Heidi Larson from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. “The Internet has speeded up the global spread of unchecked rumours and misinformation about vaccines and can seriously undermine public confidence, leading to low rates of vaccine uptake and even disease...