Busting childhood vaccine myths
You’ve probably seen anti-vaccine stories on social media. Or maybe other people talk to you about them.
It is natural to have questions about your child’s health but can be hard to know what to believe.
Vaccine information on social media may not be based on scientific evidence and could put your child at risk becoming seriously unwell.
Always get your vaccine and health information from trusted sources, such as the NHS or World Health Organisation (WHO).
Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases like measles, mumps and polio which can be very series, and even kill.
They also protect others, such as babies too young to be vaccinated and those who are too ill to be vaccinated
Serious illnesses that were once very common have been drastically reduced, and even eradicated, because of vaccines.
All the current evidence tells us that getting vaccinated is safer than not getting vaccinated.
Common vaccine myths
There’s lots of vaccine myths out there.
Got a question about natural immunity, vaccine ingredients the MMR vaccine or more – separate fact from fiction with our myth buster.
Myth: my child’s immune system is more powerful than a vaccination.
Fact: your child’s immune system is amazing. It can fight off coughs, colds, sore throats, and earaches but it needs extra help to protect against illnesses that can be very serious for them. All NHS childhood vaccinations help strengthen your child’s immune system. They are safe and free.
Myth: natural remedies are better than vaccinations
Fact: natural remedies do not prevent or cure the series illnesses that your child can catch if they are not vaccinated. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases.
Myth: childhood illnesses are not serious.
Fact: coughs, colds, sore throats, and earaches are common in children and not usually serious. However, some childhood illnesses can be very serious, even for the healthiest children.
Fact: it’s better for my child to get natural immunity.
Fact: vaccines teach your child’s immune system how to create antibodies that protect them from diseases. Natural infection can lead to serious complications. Vaccines offer safe, effective protection without the risks of the disease itself them.
Myth: vaccines overload the immune system. That’s too many for my child/baby to cope with.
Fact: vaccines use only a tiny portion of the immune system’s capability. Every day children touch, eat and encounter things that give their immune system much more to deal with than a vaccine does. It’s safe to give children and adults several vaccines at a time – and it reduces the number of injections needed.
Myth: vaccines contain harmful ingredients.
Fact: all vaccine ingredients are present in safe amounts and are thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness.
More about children’s vaccinations and immunisations
Protects against flu
Myth: flu is just a bad cold.
Fact: flu is more serious than a cold. It can cause serious illness, especially in young children and people with existing health conditions. Each year, healthy children are hospitalised with flu complications, and tragically, some children die from flu.
Myth: the vaccine gives you flu.
Fact: the nasal spray contains weakened viruses that cannot cause flu. Your child might get a runny nose, but this isn’t flu.
Myth: my child had flu last year, so they are protected.
Fact: flu viruses change each year. That’s why the vaccine is updated annually to match the most common strains.
Myth: my child can’t have the vaccine because it contains pork gelatine.
Fact: you can request a version of the vaccine that doesn’t contain pork gelatine.
More about the children’s flu vaccine
Protects against measles, mumps and rubella
Myth: the MMR vaccination causes autism.
Fact: there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. This myth stems from a discredited study that has been thoroughly debunked.
Myth: measles mumps and rubella are rare, so my child doesn’t need the vaccination.
Fact: although outbreaks of measles mumps and rubella are rare thanks to vaccination, but outbreaks still happen. Because people are travelling more now, there is a higher chance of measles coming back from other countries, where it is common.
Measles cases are rising in Greater Manchester. The three infections spread easily and can lead to serious problems including meningitis, blindness and hearing loss.
Myth: measles isn’t serious
Fact: measles can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation and even death. Vaccination helps prevent this.
Myth: three single vaccinations work better than one combined vaccination.
Fact: the MMR vaccine is more effective than single vaccinations. It’s safe to give children several vaccines at a time – and this reduces the number of injections needed.
Myth: the vaccine contains harmful ingredients such as mercury and thimerosal.
Fact: the vaccine does not contain mercury and thimerosal. All vaccine ingredients are present in safe amounts and are thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness. Find out more about vaccine ingredients.
More about the MMR vaccine
Protects against illnesses like meningitis and sepsis
Myth: Meningitis is a mild illness. People recover from easily.
Fact: meningitis is a serious disease which is caused through infections spread by sneezing, coughing and kissing. It is estimated that 1 in 2 people who survive meningitis live with permanent problems including:
- hearing loss
- recurrent seizers
- problems with memory and concentration
- coordination, movement and balance problems
- learning difficulties and behavioural problems.
- vision loss
- loss of limbs
- bone and joint problems
- kidney problems
Myth: only babies get meningitis.
Fact: it can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. Meningitis can spread very quickly in places like universities and colleges.
Myth: the vaccine doesn’t work, because it is not 100% effective. It’s not worth getting.
Fact: the MenACWY vaccine helps protect against life-threatening illnesses like meningitis and sepsis. Although the vaccine is very effective, it does not prevent all types of meningitis, so it’s still important to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis even if you’ve been vaccinated.
More about the MenACWY vaccine
Protects against diphtheria, tetanus and polio
Myth: the vaccination causes brain damage.
Fact: this claim is false. Most of the side effects of the Td/IPV vaccine are mild and do not last long.
They can include:
- swelling or pain where the injection was given
- a high temperature
- a headache
- dizziness
- feeling or being sick
More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
Myth: this vaccination is not needed because polio has disappeared.
Fact: thankfully, polio is now rare thanks to vaccination but there is no treatment for polio, and it can cause permanent paralysis, breathing difficulties and even kill. The vaccine also protects against other potentially serious illnesses.
Myth: proper sanitation is better than the vaccination
Truth: teaching your child how to wash their hands properly is really important to stop the spread of germs. However, vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases.
Myth: the vaccination is not 100 per cent effective so it’s not worth getting.
Truth: vaccines significantly reduce the risk of your child getting seriously ill or needing to go into hospital.
More about the Td/IPV vaccine (3-in-1 teenage booster)
Protects against all 9 strains of human papilloma virus (HPV)
Myth: only girls need the HPV vaccine.
Truth: it protects against the HPV virus which increases the risk of developing cervical cancer, some mouth and throat cancers, and some cancers of the anus and genital area. HPV can also cause genital warts. That’s why it’s important both boys and girls get the vaccine.
Myth: condoms provide full protection against HPV.
Truth: HPV is spread through skin contact. While condoms can help protect you against HPV, they do not cover all the skin around your genitals, so you’re not fully protected.
Myth: having the vaccine will encourage my child to have sex at a young age.
Truth: there is no evidence to suggest this. The vaccine is recommended for children aged 12 to 13 simply because it is most effective when given before exposure to the virus.
Myth: the vaccine doesn’t reduce HPV-related cancers.
Truth: since the vaccine has been used, there has been a big drop in the number of young people getting conditions linked to HPV, such as cervical cancer and genital warts. Research suggests that over time the HPV vaccine will help save thousands of lives in the UK.
Myth: my child isn’t having sex, so they don’t need the vaccine.
Truth: the vaccine is most effective if it’s given before exposure to HPV.
More about the HPV vaccine
