Vaccine Facts and Fiction
Vaccines are very successful in preventing serious illness and disease. But the myths and controversies that arose during the recent COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on vaccine acceptance. But vaccine controversies did not just begin with the COVID-19 pandemic. Other information campaigns against vaccines and vaccine components have occurred in past decades. Here are some examples of these controversies and the current scientific evidence.
Why do people believe myths and other vaccine misinformation?
The acceptance of vaccine misinformation by individuals happens for a variety of reasons. One contributing factor is that misinformation is now easily spread and accessed via social media. Misinformation may be developed by activists and often is targeted toward new vaccines or policies. People may feel that they have access to “special information” when they find these myths.
Some also are ready to believe this misinformation as it supports their view that personal freedoms should be prioritized over requiring vaccination to promote public health.
Misinformation may be general in nature and without a basis of scientific evidence. Statements such as “too many childhood vaccines” and “vaccine is new and not extensively used” make it harder to provide direct evidence.
People also may be worried about the possibility of rare, potential adverse reactions and underestimate the need for giving a vaccine to a well person.
Is there any truth about Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines causing autism?
No. At the time of noted increase in autism diagnosis, an article was published in 1998 in a medical journal suggesting that MMR vaccine may cause autism. This article was later retracted (removed from publication) for the flawed conclusions. Since that publication, numerous studies were conducted, and strong evidence supports that MMR vaccines do not cause autism. As autism may have a genetic basis, studies were even conducted in siblings of those with autism and an increased risk was not found after vaccination with an MMR vaccine among these pairs.
The hesitance of having children vaccinated and the ease of measles virus spreading has contributed to measle outbreaks across the US and worldwide.
Is there any truth about Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and influenza vaccines?
In 1976, a vaccine was developed to protect against a predicted outbreak of swine flu. An increase in a rare condition impacting the nerves, Guillain-Barré syndrome, was noted in those vaccinated. The rate was about 1 in 100,000 people. Close monitoring of flu vaccines in the following years noted that receiving any influenza vaccine may slightly increase the risk of GBS by 1 or 2 cases per million people vaccinated. It is important to note that the risk of GBS is more likely (17.2 cases per million) to occur after becoming infected with influenza than from getting the flu vaccine.
Is there any truth about thimerosal causing autism?
No. Thimerosal was added to vaccines as a preservative to prevent germs from growing in vaccine vials used for more than one injection. Critics were concerned that the mercury (ethyl mercury) content in thimerosal exceeded established limits. However, the limits used are for methylmercury, not ethyl mercury which is contained in thimerosal.
Worldwide studies have established that there is not a link between thimerosal and an increased risk of autism. Currently, childhood vaccines do not contain thimerosal, and it will be removed from the few remaining products—influenza multidose vials for adults.
Is there any truth about HPV causing adverse events?
Reports of dizziness, fainting, fatigue were initially reported with HPV vaccination. This group of responses have been studied and found to be related to the process of immunization and reaction by the individual to that situation and are not caused by the specific vaccine.
Other reports of increased autoimmune and neurological conditions have been studied, and no increased risks have been found linking them to HPV immunization.
However, these reports, widely circulated in the media worldwide, have resulted in decreased vaccine uptake from 2013 to 2019. It is estimated that this will lead to an increase of more than 25,000 cases of cervical cancer and cause 5000-5700 deaths.
Summary
There is a growing trend to distribute misinformation about vaccine safety. It is important for you to verify any information that makes you concerned about receiving a vaccine with your doctor or pharmacist. Vaccines continue to be an important tool to use in the prevention of disease.