MENLO PARK – (INT) – Facebook is taking a bold step to limit what is permitted on its social media platform.

Facebook announced Tuesday it is prohibiting ads discouraging people from getting flu vaccinations. They will be rejected globally.

Flu vaccination rates remain low, with the last CDC report in 2018-19 saying only 42.9% of California residents got a flu shot.

As COVID-19 continues to plague the nation, doctors and public health officials are sounding the alarm about the importance of getting a flu shot this year.

According to the CDC, only 48% of U.S. adults received the flu vaccination last year. The CDC recommends people get their flu shot by the end of October, but the sooner people can receive the flu vaccine, the better prepared Americans and health providers will be to control a flu outbreak on top of COVID-19, an announcement from Facebook said.

Story Date: November 12, 2020