'Harmful' billboards from anti-vaccine group coming down after public outcry
Following public outcry after an anti-vaccine group launched a billboard campaign in Toronto last week, City councillor Joe Cressy tweeted confirmation on Wednesday that the ads are being pulled down.
See also
- Anti-vaccine group start billboard campaign around Toronto (PHOTOS)
- BC schools to require immunization records of all students beginning this fall
- Metro Vancouver's Gold’s Gyms now require parents to vaccinate kids who use its daycare
- Vancouver Coastal Health reports new measles cases bringing total to 15
“I want to commend the sign company for hearing the overwhelming public concern and acting swiftly to protect public health and our children,” Cressy wrote.
According to Ted Kuntz of Vaccine Choice Canada, the campaign –which featured four different rotating ads –began on February 21 and was originally slated to run for two full weeks, “until we have no less than two million impressions.”
But after numerous public complaints about the nature of the ads, the “campaign” will be decidedly shorter.
“Given the rise of unfounded & disproven anti-vaccination information & the dangerous public health consequences, this incident has demonstrated the need to approach anti-vaccination advertising just like we do with tobacco: to stop it in this city & across the country,” added Cressy.
Good news. Have just confirmed that the harmful anti-vaccination billboards are being taken down. I want to commend the sign company for hearing the overwhelming public concern and acting swiftly to protect public health and our children. 1/2
— Joe Cressy (@joe_cressy) February 27, 2019
Given the rise of unfounded & disproven anti-vaccination information & the dangerous public health consequences, this incident has demonstrated the need to approach anti-vaccination advertising just like we do with tobacco: to stop it in this city & across the country. 2/2
— Joe Cressy (@joe_cressy) February 27, 2019