Vaccines are one of the most powerful and effective medical treatments currently available. They’re especially great for kids and toddlers, in some cases building immunity that lasts for an entire lifetime. With the right vaccine, children can avoid getting sick in the first place–including with serious illnesses such as measles, whooping cough, or influenza.
And yet, myths about vaccines for kids persist.
In some cases, these myths are so prevalent that they can cause some hesitation on the part of parents. Clearing up those myths can make vaccination decisions easier, protect your child better, and improve your family’s overall wellness.
What is a Vaccine?
Before digging into common vaccine myths, it’s worth clarifying what a vaccine is and how it works.
A vaccine is a medical treatment that can boost your immunity to a specific illness. Your body already does this every time you get sick. Your immune system learns how a given virus works and develops a strong defense.
Vaccines work in much the same way, priming your body’s immune system for a given infection. Generally, a vaccine will expose your immune system to a weakened or partial form of a germ, teaching your body how to fight that disease without actually getting you sick.
Some bacteria and viruses can evade immunity by mutating (that’s why you get the common cold once or twice a year). Viruses that mutate rapidly, therefore, can be particularly challenging to create vaccines for. As a result, some diseases require an annual vaccination for maximum protection. This is especially important for kids because complications from some common illnesses can be quite serious.
The Most Common Myths About Vaccines for Kids
Some of the most common myths about vaccines for kids include the following:
Myth: The Flu Shot Causes the Flu
Truth: The flu shot does NOT cause you to catch the flu.
Influenza, or the flu, is a fairly serious illness, even if it also seems quite routine. A flu shot may cause you to experience flu-like symptoms for a day or two; but this is not the same as catching the flu. Your achy pains are due to an immune response; but there is no live virus in your bloodstream replicating and causing damage to your body. So while you may get a headache or experience achy joints, there’s no risk of serious flu-related complications.
Myth: You Will Still Get the Flu if you Get a Flu Shot
Truth: You may still get the flu even if you’re immunized; but you will likely experience milder symptoms.
This myth is only partially true. The flu is one of those viruses that mutates fairly often. Vaccine manufacturers never know ahead of time which strain of the flu is going to be dominant from season to season–but they do take some educated guesses.
Some years, those guesses are more accurate than others. But there are two key benefits to getting your flu shot even if it doesn’t offer 100% protection:
You can avoid bad flu (ie: requiring hospital admission) 40%-60% of the time.
Even if you still catch the flu, your vaccine will typically offer protection from the most severe symptoms.
There’s an important caveat here: most patients are not great at self-diagnosing the flu. Many parents, for example, refer to gastrointestinal illness as a “stomach flu,” but it’s more likely caused by a norovirus. This can cause some patients to assume that they catch “the flu” even though they have had a flu shot.
Myth: You Can’t Get an MMR Vaccine if You Have an Egg Allergy
Truth: Those with egg allergies can get MMR vaccines.
There was a time when medical communities recommended that those with an egg allergy avoid MMR vaccines. That’s because a small amount of egg protein is used in the generation of these vaccines.
However, a thorough review of all the available data didn’t warrant this approach. Now, the CDC recommends that even those with egg allergies get MMR vaccines. The exception is anyone who has had an anaphylactic response to egg protein (in these cases, a skin test may be performed first.)
Myth: You Can’t Get the MMR or Varicella Vaccine if You Live with an Immunocompromised Person
Truth: Vaccines do not spread live virus, so there’s no need to avoid them if you live with an immunocompromised person.
Immunocompromised individuals may have specific vaccine needs. However, if you live with an immunocompromised individual, you don’t need to worry about somehow spreading the disease to them. Vaccines are, as a general rule, not contagious. So, if you are living with an immunocompromised person, you do not have to avoid undergoing a vaccine. That said, it’s understandable to be cautious. If you have doubts, ask your family doctor or pediatrician.
Myth: Getting Multiple Vaccines at Once Will Overwhelm Your Immune System
Fact: Multiple vaccines given at once often make those vaccines more effective.
The origin of this myth is likely rooted in something sensible: if you get sick with the flu and pneumonia at the same time, your symptoms will likely feel much worse. Catching two diseases at once can sometimes cause complications and increase the severity of symptoms.
But that’s not the case with vaccines. Getting multiple vaccinations at once can improve your overall immune response, meaning the vaccine will be more effective in the long run. That’s one of the variables immunology researchers look at when testing vaccines over the long term. If you’re taking vaccines when your physician recommends them, there’s no danger of “overloading” the immune system.
Myth: Breaking up Vaccines into Multiple Sessions is Better for My Child’s immune System
Fact: Following your child’s recommended vaccine schedule will typically result in the best possible protection.
In general, your child’s immune system will work better if you stick to the recommended vaccination schedule. There’s no danger in making your child sick when you get vaccinated. And there’s no advantage to breaking vaccines into multiple sessions.
Myth: Vaccines Will Alter Your DNA
Fact: Even the new mRNA vaccines do not alter your DNA.
This myth grew popular after the release of mRNA vaccines. However, there’s no truth to this pervasive myth. No vaccine will alter your DNA. Vaccines simply give your immune system instructions needed to create a strong immune response. Your DNA does not change.
In fact, no vaccine will interact with your genetic material at all. In the case of mRNA vaccines, once the instructions have been delivered, the mRNA breaks down. There’s no danger of the vaccine material sticking around.
Myth: Natural Immunity is Better
Fact: Vaccines often generate stronger immunity.
When you get sick, you will typically develop natural immunity to that particular disease. But this natural immunity is not necessarily better than the immunity generated by a vaccine–especially when it comes to viruses that often mutate, such as Covid-19 or influenza. That’s because some vaccines can protect you from multiple strains with one simple injection.
In some instances, a single infection can create a stronger immune response than a single vaccine. Multiple vaccine doses are then used to boost the body’s immune response.
Generally, most vaccines will also produce a stronger and longer lasting immune response. Vaccines allow you to build immunity without the damaging impacts that disease can have. In many cases, it’s important to remember that diseases cause damage. Vaccines do not.
Even routine illnesses, such as Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) can produce serious health problems, such as intellectual disabilities; and even the measles can cause death. Vaccines present a much safer and more reliable way for your child to build immunity.
Myth: The Flu Vaccines Protects You Against Covid-19
Fact: The flu vaccine will only protect you against the influenza virus, not Covid-19.
Vaccines are usually specifically developed to protect against one illness. The flu vaccine will protect you against most strains of influenza. But only a vaccine specifically designed for Covid-19 can protect you against Covid-19. That’s why it’s critical for patients to receive both a flu vaccine and a covid-19 vaccine. This offers the best possible protection against both illnesses.
Ask Your Doctor About Vaccines
Vaccines offer an amazing amount of protection with very few downsides. It’s critical for your child’s health and wellness to make sure you follow the recommended vaccine schedule. If you still have questions about vaccines, make sure to ask your pediatrician and get your information from a reputable, qualified source.