Advice issued by council to help prevent vaccine misinformation being spread

Wandsworth Council has given out information to try and prevent vaccine misinformation from being spread.

In this internet age, some news can spread like wildfire. And while that may be good for important information, there also can be a lot of stuff spread that isn't true.

False news comes in many forms; social posts going viral, statements by public figures or hearsay from family and friends.

Often the information is harmless, however, when it comes to a pandemic and a health crisis, false news can become dangerous.

One example, which really has taken hold, is the belief that the COVID-19 vaccine affects fertility. Yet scientists have repeatedly explained that there is no scientific reason why any of the vaccines could have this effect.

According to Mohammad Hassan-Ally, South West London clinical lead for COVID-19 vaccinations: "People who haven't come forward for their vaccine often fear harm from the jab because they get their information from WhatsApp and Facebook groups. They see videos, supposedly leaked by 'insiders' and believe this rather than traditional news outlets.

"The myth of the vaccine containing microchips has been busted – not many people believe that now, but infertility still comes up as a concern. We talk to people about how there is no data to suggest any ill-effects, we try to explain that."

Wandsworth Council has released a checklist to try and help people work out who to trust. They suggest that if you're not sure about a claim, use the SHARE checklist to examine it before you share it on social media.

Below is the checklist:

What's the SOURCE?

Be wary of 'facts' from anonymous sources – someone's Uncle Bob, or a friend of a friend. Always rely on official sources for medical and safety information – we've listed some at the end of this blog. If a story is meant to be coming from an official source, check back on the organisation's website to be sure.

Go beyond the HEADLINE

Headlines are there to grab attention, they don't tell the full story. Always read to the end before you share any stories about COVID-19 and especially vaccines.

Do some ANALYSIS

Don't take anything at face value – go deeper. If something sounds too odd to be true, it probably is. Check who else is covering the story. If true, it's likely that a serious or troubling claim would be reported widely across news outlets, so try and verify it with an internet news search.

Has it been RETOUCHED?

Remember that images and videos can often be used out of context or edited and retouched to suggest something misleading.

Look for ERRORS

False new stories on social media and websites can be hidden behind accounts and pages that look familiar, such as the BBC. Check for odd looking URLs and Twitter handles. Bad spelling and poor layouts should also ring alarm bells – official guidance about COVID-19 will have been checked many times.

If you want health information regarding coronavirus and vaccines, it's always best to check the NHS website or the World Health Organisation (WHO).

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