ITV has been warned by broadcasting regulator Ofcom after it reported inaccurate vaccine statistics on morning show Lorraine.
The channel has been told to take "greater care" after a report from Dr Hilary Jones attracted 3833 complaints.
The programme had broadcast a discussion about the number of unvaccinated Covid-19 patients in hospital.
The segment on December 6, 2021 saw host Lorraine Kelly and resident medical expert Jones encourage viewers to accept the offer of a coronavirus vaccination.
The doctor said: “Those people who haven’t been vaccinated, we’d really love you to think again and be vaccinated because 90% of people in hospital are unvaccinated right now with Covid.”
A clarification was broadcast on the show two days later, explaining the statistic related to patients in intensive care units rather than the proportion of unvaccinated Covid-19 patients in hospital.
On Monday, media watchdog Ofcom ruled they would not be launching a formal investigation but have issued ITV with guidance.
In a statement, Ofcom said: “This programme incorrectly referenced the proportion of unvaccinated Covid-19 patients in hospital.
“We have told ITV that greater care should be taken by trusted medical experts when presenting facts and figures on public health issues.
“However, given official statistics and research have consistently shown that vaccination against Covid-19 offers greater protection against serious health consequences, we do not consider that the error was sufficient to materially mislead viewers on this main point of discussion.”
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