In a recent poll by KFF they found that
“1 in 6 parents say they have skipped or delayed a vaccine for their child” (5),
but why? Most parents said their reasoning was “concern about side effects, lack
of trust in vaccine safety, and that vaccines aren’t necessary” (5). This is a time-tested
method of prevention, and we’ve been able to eradicate so many diseases due to
vaccines. So why turn away now? The hard reality is there is so much
misinformation being spread everyday by individuals on social media or people
in our own government who aren’t experienced health professionals.
Vaccine
Development and Success Story
The process of creating a vaccine
can take up to 10-15 years. The process can be divided into 4 phases:
discovery, clinical studies/trials, FDA review, ACIP review, and post approval
monitoring and research. This process consists of thousands of participants
during the clinical phase to study safety and effectiveness. Even after a
vaccine is approved there is still continuous monitoring to track rare reactions.
(2)
 |
A diagram from the CDC showing the vaccine development process (2) |
An important vaccine is the vaccine that prevents measles. It has eradicated the cases of illness, but in recent years we’ve seen a resurgence due to the lack of parents vaccinating their children against it (3). Measles is an extremely infectious virus that lingers in the air much longer than other respiratory viruses. If left untreated it can lead to major complications such pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death (3). The measles vaccine was created in 1963 by Dr. John Enders, and by the year 2000 measles was considered eradicated in the United States. In the past few years with vaccination rates dropping this has changed. As of September 17, 2025, there have been 1,491 confirmed cases in the United States (3). As seen in the graph below, measles cases are hitting a new high in 2025. (9)
 |
A
graph from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Depicting raising
cases of measles in 2025 as compared to previous years. (9) |
Fact vs. Fiction
One of the most popular myths being
perpetuated today is “vaccines cause autism”, which is false. Although the
exact cause of autism is still unknown, this theory has been disproven time and
time again and many articles that stated this have since been retracted. The
original 1998 paper by Andrew Wakefield that stated that the MMR vaccine causes
autism was retracted due to false data (6). Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined
as “challenges with social communication skills and repetitive or restricted
behavior/thinking” (1). There are varying severities to autism from needing
some support to requiring substantial support. In a study done by Taylor et al.
where they observed the relationship between vaccine administration and development
of autism, they found no link between the vaccine and autism. (7)
Another misconception also often heard
is “natural immunity is better.”. Our bodies have two
types of immunity: innate and adaptive. Innate immunity is present at birth.
Adaptive immunity on the other hand is built over time with exposure. A vaccine
safely exposes an individual to weakened or inactive parts of a virus (2).
Since the immune system has already been exposed to the virus it will be able
to recognize and fight off the real disease in the future with lower risks of complication,
hospitalization, and death that may come with certain illnesses.
Of course, with any vaccine or
medication comes risks. Although, side effects vary from vaccine to vaccine
some common ones are soreness, swelling at the site of injection, fever, and
headache. In rare cases some vaccines like the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and
Rubella) can cause seizures due to fever (4). Serious side effects like seizures
are extremely rare and affect 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 children. On the other hand,
1 out 5 unvaccinated individuals that get infected with Measles will be
hospitalized. The numbers really do speak for themselves.
Conclusion
Parents, I understand the hesitation,
whether it’s concern about side effects, distrust in pharmaceutical companies
or government agencies. Your fears are understandable, but we have to put that
aside and look at the overwhelming evidence. Vaccines are safe and effect. Vaccine
do have mild side effects like any other medication and serious reactions are
extremely rare. On the other hand, when unvaccinated the risk of serious
complication from certain illnesses is far greater. Vaccines not only protect
your children, but the elderly, infants and those who may be immunocompromised.
Misinformation spreads quickly, create an open conversation and seek
out all the important information you’d like, but please choose trusted sources.
Listen to people who have dedicated years of their lives to medicine,
preventing, and health illnesses.
By
Muznah Khalid, Master of Medical Sciences Student at the University of Kentucky
References
1.
Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD). autismspeaks.org. (n.d.).https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism
2.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, August 10). How Vaccines are Developed and Approved for Use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/basics/how-developed-approved.html
3.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, September 17). Measles Cases and Outbreaks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html
4.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Possible Side effects from Vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/basics/possible-side-effects.html
5.
Kffrainl. (2025, September 15). New
KFF-Washington Post Survey explores parents’ trust in, and confusion about,
childhood vaccines as the Trump administration revamps federal policies. KFF. https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/new-kff-washington-post-survey-explores-parents-trust-in-and-confusion-about-childhood-vaccines-as-the-trump-administration-revamps-federal-policies/
6. Rao TS, Andrade C. The MMR vaccine and autism: Sensation,
refutation, retraction, and fraud. Indian J Psychiatry. 2011 Apr;53(2):95-6.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.82529. PMID: 21772639; PMCID: PMC3136032.
7. Taylor LE, Swerdfeger AL, Eslick GD. Vaccines are not
associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and
cohort studies. Vaccine. 2014 Jun 17;32(29):3623-9. doi:
10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.085. Epub 2014 May 9. PMID: 24814559.
8. Patja A, Davidkin I, Kurki T, Kallio MJ, Valle M, Peltola
H. Serious adverse events after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination during a
fourteen-year prospective follow-up. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2000
Dec;19(12):1127-34. Doi: 10.1097/00006454-200012000-00002. PMID: 11144371.
9.
U.S. Measles Cases Hit Highest Level Since Declared Eliminated in 2000.
International Vaccine Access Center. (2025, July 7). https://publichealth.jhu.edu/ivac/2025/us-measles-cases-hit-highest-level-since-declared-eliminated-in-2000
Hi Muznah,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really relevant topic, especially given today’s political climate. Working in the medical field, it’s hard for me to imagine that some people still distrust the effectiveness of vaccines, particularly those who believe vaccines can cause autism. Autism isn’t a disease, and its causes are complex and not yet fully understood, possibly involving both genetic and environmental factors. I’m really glad that you directed this post towards parents because now more than ever, it’s so important for them to have their children vaccinated. It’s also becoming increasingly important for family physicians to educate their patients, especially given how much misinformation exists about vaccine side effects and effectiveness, as you pointed out.
Hi Muznah,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your article. This is such a relevant topic in todays world and it is really controversial. I like how you included a graph on how measles is on the rise again I feel that this is really eye opening. Your conclusion really stuck out to me where you addressed it to parents, and I agree these are important things to know. While there may be mild side effects to specific vaccines, it is better to go through these effects rather than deal with the difficulties of the disease or infection. The main one that comes to my mind is the shingles vaccine, it is better to get vaccinated and deal with any side effects, as the outcome of this infection is unimaginable.
Muznah,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post about vaccines given the current situation in the U.S. Like you, I believe vaccines are important to help eradicate diseases such as measles, and it's incredibly sad how misinformation in the topic is affecting us nowadays. As an international student sometimes I can't comprehend how people are influenced so easily in the U.S., especially with so many trusted resources available with information. I really hope that in the coming years people start believing in science a little bit more and we can go back to trusting vaccines.
Hi Muznah,
ReplyDeleteI really love this post because it is something that is unfortunately a very prevalent topic in the world today. I think the first step to solving this issue is to have true scientific information circulating instead of misinformation that is easily spread through social media. Being from a rural area, this is a problem that I've often seen in my community. People are uneducated about the long process to get a vaccine approved and are often skeptical to get their children vaccinated. I also like that you included data and graphs on the measles resurgence to show that lack of vaccination is causing a once eradicated disease to return. Thank you for doing your part to educate others and, most importantly, parents.
With how controversial this subject is, I think you addressed it very well. It is of course understandable, as you said, for parents to be concerned for their children’s wellbeing and not trust the pharmaceutical industry. However providing the insight that that the literature claiming that vaccines cause autism was retracted due to false data and that it has also been disproven is valuable information for parents. I also thought the comparison between the risk of severe side effects of vaccines and the risk of being unvaccinated was a great illustration of why it is important for parents to vaccinate their kids. Informative articles like this and conversations with providers are great steps to ease parents’ concerns.
ReplyDelete