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Micheál Martin has criticized the “fake news” of anti-vaccines on social media.
The Taoiseach also hailed the day Covid vaccines started rolling out as “historic” and “a vindication” for science.
But the country’s leader also took the opportunity to warn about fake news on social media where the efficacy of miracle vaccines is questioned.
Mr. Martin said: “We need to make sure that fake news is not prevalent or promoted on the various digital platforms.
And I think that’s a good point.
“I can remember the whole MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) scandal and the enormous damage that occurred at that time.
“We had to endure measles outbreaks for two or three years and the children were very sick and in some cases lost their lives as a result of that campaign.”
(Image: Gareth Chaney / Collins)
The Taoiseach was responding to Labor leader Alan Kelly during the Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil, who asked for a commitment from the Taoiseach that he will speak to the heads of social media companies.
Martin said: “It is truly a historic day and it is a vindication of science as the definitive route to deal with this terrible virus that has caused so much havoc around the world in terms of lives lost, in terms of so many people who have become ill. With the virus, the long-term consequences, the economic upheaval, the social upheaval, it has changed our way of life. “
He added: “We need to be very strong and positive in support of vaccination to eliminate a virus that has caused so much devastation, chaos and death around the world.
“Historically, the whole goal of vaccination has been to eliminate those diseases and those viruses.
“And the history of vaccines has been extraordinary, in terms of the 20th century, for example, in terms of the transformation in health care and outcomes, which is often forgotten as time progresses.
“What was horrible one time becomes common the next and is inconsequential due to vaccines and medications in general.”
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