The air’s getting crisp, pumpkin spice is in the air, and it’s time to head back to school! As we get back to the classroom, it’s a great time to think about common vaccine myths, and how we can debunk them.
Myth: “Vaccines aren’t safe”
Fact: Vaccines are proven to be safe. In the U.S. we have very high vaccine safety standards in place, with a longstanding vaccine safety system that ensures that vaccines are as safe as possible. Vaccines are thoroughly studied through clinical trials which are conducted during the development, testing and approval process. After they are approved, additional studies are conducted to continue monitoring vaccine safety and to look at populations that may have been underrepresented in clinical trials. HealthyChildren.org provides a great deal of vaccine safety information on their website.
Myth: “If I’m healthy I don’t need all my vaccines.”
Fact: Even if you are healthy now, vaccines play an important role in protecting you from serious illness over time. Some vaccines – like the flu shot – protect people from fast-spreading viruses that can cause severe complications, even in healthy individuals. Others, such as the HPV vaccine, protect you from diseases like cancer that can develop later in life.
Vaccination also helps protect your community. When enough people get vaccinated, it creates herd immunity, making it harder for disease to spread and protecting those who can’t be vaccinated. For example, through widespread immunization, the U.S. was able to eliminate measles in 2000. Getting vaccinated isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s about keeping your loved ones and community healthy, too
Myth: “Vaccines cause autism.”
Fact: A lot of studies have examined the link between autism and vaccines, and have concluded that vaccines do not cause autism. For more information, see the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Myth: “It isn’t safe to get multiple vaccines at once.”
Fact: It is considered safe to get multiple vaccines at once. Extensive research has examined the safety and effectiveness of administering different vaccines simultaneously. Before any new vaccine is approved for use, it is tested alongside vaccines already recommended for children of that age. The recommended vaccines are as effective and safe in combination as they are individually. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
Myth: “The HPV vaccine is only for girls”
Fact: The HPV vaccine is highly effective at preventing the strains of the virus that can lead to 5 types of cancer – anal, throat, penile, cervical and vaginal – in both boys and girls. According to the World Health Organization, one in three men globally are infected with HPV, and they are just as likely to contract high-risk types of the virus as women. However, men and boys are far less likely to be diagnosed with HPV-related conditions simply because routine HPV screening is not available for males (Rojas, 2024). This makes vaccination even more essential; the HPV vaccine prevents cancer in everyone, not just girls!
Myth: “If I get the vaccine, I will become infected with the virus”
Fact: Most vaccines contain inactivated or weakened viruses, meaning they can’t actually cause the disease. Some vaccines may cause mild side effects, but never to the degree of the actual illness. Vaccine side effects might feel like illness because your immune system is responding to the inactivated or weakened viruses in the vaccine, making your body more prepared to fight off the actual disease.
Remember, a lot of people online will spread vaccine myths to scare you! If you ever have any questions about vaccines, talk to your healthcare provider. Let’s all stay safe from vaccine-preventable illness during this busy back-to-school season.
