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A recent study reported that around 1 in 10 parents in the United Kingdom do not vaccinate their children.
The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) conducted a survey to determine people’s awareness and opinion of vaccines. The respondents included 2,600 parents, nearly 10% of which refused to give their children vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
The study also noted the decline in the number of children taking vaccines in the country. Data from 2017 and 2018 showed a 0.4% drop in the number of children getting the MMR vaccine in England alone.
According to the study, the top reason for parents’ reluctance is the belief that vaccines have harmful side effects. Such negative ideas about vaccines are fueled by social media platforms, including Facebook. In fact, up to 50% of the parents surveyed have encountered social media messages about vaccines causing negative effects.
United Kingdom’s chief medical officer, Sally Davies, said that the most popular misconception online is the idea linking the MMR vaccine to autism. Although this idea comes from an old and disproven study, social media continues to propagate the false belief.
The RSPH, together with Davies, encouraged people to ignore this misconception. Although there are indeed some side effects to vaccination, the study assured that they are usually mild and rare. The study also highlighted the importance and effectivity of vaccines in protecting people against many diseases.
To dispel fears of vaccines, the RSPH strongly recommended actions, such as limiting fake news on social media and promoting better education in schools to name a few.