the rise of social media has brought with it a new challenge for the medical and scientific community: the proliferation of health influencers who disseminate misinformation. These individuals, frequently enough lacking scientific credentials, share unsubstantiated claims that can undermine public health efforts.

Dr. Luis Mariano Toraya Lara,president of the Pediatrics College of the State of Yucatan,warns of the dangers posed by these influencers. There are many influencers that make their videos affirming that vaccines or antibiotics do not serve, and there are those who believe it. This phenomenon, he argues, creates confusion and poses a significant risk to public health.

Combating Misinformation with Evidence

counteracting this wave of misinformation requires a concerted effort to disseminate accurate, science-based information.Dr. Toraya Lara emphasizes the need for proactive campaigns grounded in scientific evidence. that is a problem that we have to counteract with campaigns and scientific evidence.

Beyond Misinformation: Addressing Structural Barriers to Vaccination

While misinformation plays a role in vaccine hesitancy, structural obstacles also contribute to the problem.Access to vaccines remains a significant issue, with shortages hindering vaccination efforts.

There are many vaccines that do not apply not because people do not want, but because the government does not provide them.
Dr. Luis Mariano Toraya Lara, president of the Pediatrics college of the State of Yucatan

Furthermore, misconceptions about vaccine eligibility persist. For example,many believe that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is only effective if administered between the ages of 11 and 12. In reality,vaccination is still recommended for older individuals.

Dr. Toraya Lara also highlights the importance of the hepatitis A vaccine, which is often excluded from public immunization programs, and the chickenpox vaccine, notably for adults who have never contracted the disease.

if they do not have the vaccine, it is recommended to put it on to protect. It is indeed no longer just about chickenpox, but also to prevent Herpes Zóster.
Dr. Luis mariano Toraya Lara, president of the Pediatrics College of the State of Yucatan

Reinforcing Information Campaigns

To combat misinformation and improve vaccination rates, Dr. Toraya Lara advocates for reinforced information campaigns across traditional and digital media. He cites the “if you love me, protect me” campaign, which focuses on vaccinating children in schools, and the influenza campaign as examples of effective initiatives.

You have to campaign.So that we did not repeat what we saw before,with many hospitalized children.
Dr. Luis Mariano Toraya Lara, president of the Pediatrics College of the State of Yucatan

He also emphasizes the importance of relying on scientific evidence rather than personal opinions when making health decisions.

In medicine there is scientific evidence. What is said in an opinion article is not the same as what is published after a serious and supported review.
Dr. Luis Mariano Toraya Lara, president of the Pediatrics College of the State of Yucatan

While individuals have the right to make their own health choices, these decisions shoudl be based on verified information, not viral content.

It can be decided, but with real information, not with viral content.
Dr.Luis Mariano Toraya Lara, president of the Pediatrics College of the State of Yucatan