As measles claims a young life, false anti-vaccine claims spread fast — health experts rush to set the record straight. A child’s death from measles in the UK has caused shock and urgent calls to vaccinate children. Health officials say misinformation on social media, much of it from the U.S, is making the situation worse.
Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease, but it can be prevented with the MMR vaccine given to children. On July 14, the UK Health Secretary confirmed a child died of measles.
The child was treated at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool, which has seen 17 measles cases since June. After the news, some social media influencers falsely claimed the child did not die from measles and called vaccines unsafe.
One influencer said measles is “not dangerous,” while another wrongly said no vaccine is proven safe or effective.
Liverpool’s top health official, Matthew Ashton, strongly criticized these false claims and urged people to get their children vaccinated. He said measles is a dangerous virus and the vaccine protects everyone, including sick and vulnerable people.
Experts warn that wrong information about vaccines is still affecting many parents, especially through social media. Some anti-vaccine ideas come from the U.S, including from well-known figures who spread false health claims.
The UK Health Security Agency is working hard to provide clear information and encourage vaccinations. However, vaccine coverage in some areas is low — only 74% in Liverpool and 84% nationwide, while 95% coverage is needed to stop outbreaks.
Measles cases are rising not just in the UK but worldwide. Europe and the U.S. are seeing their worst outbreaks in decades, and Canada has had thousands of cases this year.
Doctors say fighting misinformation is as important as fighting the disease itself.