Delta Air Lines will change its approval process for in-flight programming after a video advertisement drew opposition, leading to an online petition calling for its removal.
At issue is a public service announcement now airing on Delta flights from the National Vaccine Information Center that is critical of vaccines. Objecting to the message is the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In the wake of this flap, the Atlanta-based airline, in a statement, said it will readdress its in-flight video approval process, though it didn't supply details.
"Although the views represented in the PSA do not necessarily match those of Delta, we recognize that we have a responsibility to our customers to ensure all programming is relevant, accurate and does not lend itself to interpretation," Delta said in the statement.
The paid commercial will run only until the end of the month, according to the airline.
The video, which now airs on Delta's overhead screens on westbound flights, discusses ways to stay well during the flu season. It also says those considering flu shots should research different flu vaccines, adding, "Don't hesitate to ask questions."
In a memo to Delta chief executive Richard Anderson, American Academy of Pediatrics president Robert Block said his group objects to the video and considers it potentially harmful.
Block wrote that "influenza vaccine continues to be the best way to protect against the disease." He added that Delta, by providing advertising space to an organization like the NVIC, is "putting the lives of children at risk, leaving them unprotected from vaccine-preventable diseases." The pediatricians' group urged Delta to remove the NVIC messages.
A petition on Change.org to "Tell Delta to Stop Putting their Passengers' Health at Risk" attracted more than 2,200 online signatures by Thursday afternoon, according to the website.
NVIC president Barbara Loe Fisher said the video has a responsible message.
"I don't understand why there's this controversy," she said. "We need to be able to criticize organizations that we think could do a better job. ... For the people who want to use vaccines, we are fighting for safer vaccine policies and safer vaccines. I don't see what's wrong with that."
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