Facebook Is Banning Anti-Vaxx Content Related To The Coronavirus Vaccine

Facebook is cracking down hard on anti-vaccination content ahead of the release of the coronavirus vaccine.

We're getting agonisingly close to getting the jab for the first time as regulators around the world race to approve the various vaccine candidates.

Social media is awash with comments from people who are cautious of the Covid-19 vaccine due to how quickly it's been produced. However, some accounts are also pushing out misinformation about the jab and it's only fuelling people's worries.

Some of that misinformation includes the vaccine containing a microchip, ingredients that aren't in the vaccination, or people being forced against their will to get the jab.

As a result, Facebook will move to ban any anti-vaxx posts about the coronavirus vaccine candidates unless they are supported by fact.

Kang-Xing Jin, head of Facebook Health, said they won't be able to get on top of this overnight however they will work swiftly to get the problematic content removed.

"Given the recent news that COVID-19 vaccines will soon be rolling out around the world, over the coming weeks we will start removing false claims about these vaccines that have been debunked by public health experts on Facebook and Instagram," Jin said in a blog post.

"We will also remove conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines that we know today are false.

"We will not be able to start enforcing these policies overnight. Since it's early and facts about COVID-19 vaccines will continue to evolve, we will regularly update the claims we remove based on guidance from public health authorities as they learn more."

Facebook has been on the warpath this year in banning content it deems to be unsuitable for the platform.

The social media site announced in October that it would be banning all advertisements from anti-vaccination groups.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, Facebook wanted to ensure people weren't receiving misinformation when it comes to live-saving injections.

However, the company also stated that adverts which 'advocate for or against legislation or government policies around vaccines' (including for Covid-19) will still be allowed.

The ads will have a 'Paid for by' label, so that users will be able to see who has paid for the ad space.

Facebook will be launching a flu vaccine information campaign as many people in the Northern Hemisphere head into winter and will need the seasonal jab.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, Social Media, Facebook, Technology

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie