- 12 May 2019
- 2 min read
Instagram is cracking down on fake news health info
Instagram is to block less obvious hashtags used by posts containing fake health information about vaccines.

Instagram is cracking down on misinformation about vaccinations being spread across the photo sharing app by blocking hashtags that draw out “verifiably false” posts about the controversial subject.
Inaccurate and misleading anti-vaccination messages on social media are thought to be one of the reasons why vaccination rates have dropped in recent years, with an estimated 169 million children around the world missing out on the first dose of the measles vaccine between 2010 and 2017, according to recent numbers from charity Unicef.

The Facebook-owned platform already blocks obvious hashtag terms used to spread false information, such as #vaccinescauseautism, #vaccinescauseaids and #vaccinesarepoison, but its policy is now being extended to address vaccine hashtags that seem innocent on the surface.
For example, a hashtag like #vaccines1234 does not contain anything alarming in its wording, but if it is found to be used in a number of posts to promote verifiably false vaccine misinformation it will be added to the block list.
When a hashtag is blocked, users are presented with no results when searching it on the social network.
However, Instagram’s approach continues to only target misinformation about vaccines and not anti-vax opinions, which it says is not something it would take action on.
Instagram did not specify a limit on the number of times a hashtag is being abused before blocking it, stating that it will block hashtags whereby the content surfaced on the hashtag page contains a “certain amount” of verifiably false vaccine misinformation.

The move comes after Facebook said it was “exploring additional measures” to address anti-vaccination posts in February, following concerns raised about the controversial subject appearing in groups and pages across Facebook.
At the time, the company admitted that the task is challenging as it grapples with striking a balance between freedom to express opinion and the safety of its users, but said it was committed to tackling the problem.
Last month, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he “wouldn’t rule out anything” when asked whether unvaccinated children should be banned from schools.
NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens has also described vaccine refusal as a “growing public health timebomb”.
Nurses.co.uk editorial team
About the author
Nurses.co.uk editorial team
Bringing you a daily update of nursing, NHS, health and social care news from around the UK.
Want to get involved in the discussion
Sign In JoinRead something else
5 Practical Tips For Making A Good First Impression For Black Nursing Leaders
If you’re just starting in a senior role, making a positive first impression is key. Band 8 Nurse, Maxine, offers her first impression top tips, as well as advice for dealing with ‘Imposter Syndrome’.
Top Tips For Working Over The Christmas Season
Adult Nurse, Zara, offers her advice and tips for working during the busy festive season, and explains why having a positive attitude is so important for both you and your patients.
What Is Agency Nursing & Why It Could Be Your Next Career Move
Natalie Ponting of MSI group explains the pros and cons of working as an Agency Nurse, contrasting the increased job flexibility and pay with the unpredictability and potential extra costs.
Latest Jobs
Staff Nurse - Ward
Methley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Spire Healthcare
Deputy Ward Manager
Maidstone, Kent, England
Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Registered Nurse
Peacehaven, East Sussex, England
Appoint Healthcare
Matron - Paediatrics
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Midwifery Matron
Bristol, City of Bristol, England
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Staff Nurse
Carshalton, Greater London, England
Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
See all of our RGN jobs
5396 jobs currently available