Police to investigate anti-vax viber group

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has launched an investigation into a Viber group spreading anti-vaccination ideologies.

MPS revealed that the "anti-vax" Viber group has come to the attention of the authorities and that the matter is currently undergoing investigation following discussions with the relevant ministries.

The Viber group named "are vaccines safe??" has 1851 members of which many share misinformation regarding the safety of vaccines. Some claim the vaccines causes autism and continue to share debunked studies regarding the topic. The group was initially advertised as a forum for debate with well-known doctors participating in the discussion. Nevertheless, the anti-vaxxers have been reported to continuously disregard the opinions of doctors in favour of online resources promoting anti-vax ideologies.

Though many refuse to vaccinate for religious reasons, others believe the vaccines are poisonous as they contain Aluminium. However, studies have shown that aluminium is one of the most common metals found in nature with exposure to natural levels of the metal having no adverse effect on the body. Studies have confirmed that the amount of aluminium found in vaccines is too low to be absorbed into the body and boosts the effectiveness of the vaccine.

While the matter is being investigated by authorities, the ministry of health recently announced that measles has resurfaced in the country. It was found in a three-year-old who had not received the required vaccinations.