A Fine Gael TD who previously described the mis-information as "propaganda" has welcomed the news
Facebook has announced measures to tackle anti-vaccination groups on the site.
The social network is also clamping down on some adverts that it believes are spreading fake news about it.
It was recently criticised for the way its algorithm highlighted content which promoted ideas on anti-vaccination.
Figures UNICEF show that cases of measles in Ireland increased by almost 250% last year, while cases of mumps have also gone up by 540% this year compared to 2018.
Facebook will no longer promote anti-vaccine groups & pages in search results & they will not surface them in users' newsfeed
Instagram's search & explore features will no longer promote posts that spread anti-vaccine content
— Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) March 9, 2019
Both have preventative vaccines available, with most children receiving two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.
Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell - who previously criticised Facebook for allowing mis-information on the matter - has welcomed the news that Facebook are taking action.
"I think it's a recognition of Facebook of their responsibility as an influencer"
"People can believe any conspiracy theories they want, but in the case of vaccines, the reduction in the rates of vaccines was a threat to public health, and not to exaggerate but a threat to population health in the world."
