Facebook has a new vaccine misinformation policy - here's what you can and can't post

In September, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg said this about vaccine misinformation:

"If someone is pointing out a case where a vaccine caused harm or that they're worried about it - you know, that's a difficult thing to say from my perspective that you shouldn't be allowed to express at all."

This week, Facebook reversed its position, banning misinformation about all vaccines on Facebook and Instagram. The social media giant also announced new ways of emphasising official health information as governments prepare for mass vaccine rollouts.

The four steps Facebook is taking on vaccine misinformation:

First, groups, pages and accounts on Facebook and Instagram will be barred from posting debunked claims about vaccines. If they continue to post debunked claims, they may be permanently banned.

What does Facebook mean by "debunked claims"?

The company says debunked claims include that COVID-19 is man-made, vaccines are not effective at preventing the disease they are meant to protect against, it's safer to get the disease than to get the vaccine, and that vaccines cause autism.

Second, Facebook will expand its COVID-19 information centre to include details on how and where to get vaccinated.

Third, Facebook will donate $120 million in ad credits to non-government organisations, health organisations and United Nations agencies to assist in spreading the word about vaccines.

And fourth, if users search for vaccine misinformation on Facebook, they will be directed to validated vaccine information rather than allowed to read about debunked claims.