Is the Flu Virus Getting a Hand from YouTube?

In what they call the first-ever study of its kind, scientists from the University of Toronto in Canada say to have uncovered that YouTube - a popular online service that allows users to upload, view and share videos - is spreading the wrong message about vaccination and immunization.

Researches Kumanan Wilson and Jennifer Keelan studied 153 videos on the subject of vaccination and immunization from the site and did not like what they found. According to their report - published in the December 5 issue of the journal of the American Medical Association - more than half of those videos portrayed a negative or ambiguously view on childhood, HPV, flu and other vaccinations.

"YouTube is increasingly a resource people consult for health information, including vaccination," says author Keelan, a professor in U. of T's Department of Public Health Sciences.

What worries researches is that 45 percent of the videos from the study contradict the 2006 Canadian immunization guide, which are very similar to those from the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States.

Every year, health authorities in both countries recommend people get vaccinated to prevent getting sick during flu outbreaks. The influenza virus attacks the respiratory system and may cause sever illnesses like bacterial pneumonia and dehydration, which can be deadly for people suffering with asthma, diabetes or other chronic medical condition.

"Our study shows that a significant amount of immunization content on YouTube contradicts the nation's reference standard. From a public health perspective, this is very concerning," says Keelan.

During the flu season in the United States, anywhere from late December through March, approximately 5% to 20% of the population becomes infected with the flu virus; and close to 36,000 Americans die each year from complications, according to CDC. Yet, researches form the U. of T. say that videos doubtful of vaccinations were the most popular and better rated compared to those portraying immunizations in a positive light.

The authors of the study warn YouTube users and health authorities to be careful of this information on the site. "Health care professionals need to be aware that individuals critical of immunization are using YouTube to communicate their viewpoints and that patients may be obtaining information from these videos" says Wilson, professor with U of T's Department of Medicine.