Two prominent anti-vaccine figures had their social media accounts reinstated last week. The accounts were suspended earlier this year for repeated violations of the platform’s COVID-19 misinformation policy, which is no longer being enforced. Upon returning to the platform, both people immediately began promoting misinformation about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccine opponents and COVID-19 skeptics celebrated the return of the figures as a sign that public opinion is shifting in their favor.
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The high profile of these sources of misinformation elevates their risk. Both of the figures have gained popularity and large platforms by using their scientific and medical training to lend credibility to the misinformation that they promote. Misinformation about COVID-19 will persist online, but steps may be taken to reduce the impact. Continuing to report misinformation on other platforms is recommended, as is exercising caution when consuming and sharing health information on Twitter. Following trusted accounts and double-checking that verified accounts are real and reputable sources of information are also recommended. Consider countering misinformation on the safety and efficacy of vaccines by emphasizing the amount of time and research that goes into the development process and that more than 70 percent of the world’s population has safely received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. Fact-Checking Source(s):
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