Deirdre Clune: 'EU must help prevent Covid-19 vaccine disinformation online'

Deirdre Clune, Ireland South MEP and Member of the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee says it's critical that disinformation or plain untruths about Covid-19 vaccination are dispelled

Deirdre Clune: Disinformation is not a new problem, but it has taken on a particular aspect during the Covid pandemic.

A number of vaccines for Covid-19 are currently being developed for use across the world and it is heartening to see images of people starting to receive it. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is expected to authorise at least two vaccines before the New Year, and it is encouraging to know that a national vaccination programme is ready to be rolled out. The vaccine will help return some sort of normality to our daily lives by next summer.

In order for such a vaccination programme to be successful people must be willing to get vaccinated. The Department of Health says their research tells them that many of us have already decided (45%) that they will definitely or (28%) will probably take the vaccine when it is offered. There will be questions asked and clear answers must be given surrounding the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.