The head of the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) on Friday warned against misinformation on vaccines and vaccination programmes, calling on the international community to work together to combat it, Xinhua news agency reported.

At a discussion on vaccine misinformation and growing distrust, Unicef executive director Henrietta Fore stressed that "vaccines work",as immunisation prevents two to three million deaths every year, citing figures from the World Health Organization.

While acknowledging progress in public health brought about by vaccination, such as the near-eradication of polio, Fore lamented that an estimated 20 million infants are missing out on the benefits of vaccination each year, putting them at risk of diseases and putting their communities and countries at risk of outbreaks.

Noting misinformation plays a role in people's aversion to vaccination, Fore said, "Like the diseases that vaccines prevent, misinformation about vaccines can spread fast, especially online. The proliferation of information on digital media makes it increasingly difficult to present to parents what they need to know."

Pointing to an alarming spike in measles cases worldwide, she stressed, "We must not allow mistrust and misinformation to roll back the significant progress made in combating these diseases."

In particular, she called on technology companies to do more to promote credible, quality and scientifically proven content about vaccines.icef

"If we combine stronger programmes and greater access to vaccines with scientifically accurate information to build trust, we can break down the barriers between children and the vaccinations they need and deserve," she said.

Amid a surge in outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, Unicef announced in April a new social media campaign, emphasising that "vaccines are safe, and they save lives".

Friday's discussion in New York was organised by the Unicef and the permanent mission of Japan to the UN.

Other speakers, attending in person or through video, included WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Japanese ambassador to the UN Koro Bessho as well as other campaigners.

- Bernama