- Updated
Clearing up confusion about vaccines
Misunderstandings about vaccines have circulated for years; learn more about the science behind vaccines. Concerned about vaccine safety? This article breaks down common misunderstandings and explains the real science behind vaccines.
6 min read
Medically reviewed by
Dr. David Weber · August 13, 2025
Key takeaways
Are serious vaccine side effects common?
Most vaccine side effects, including those associated with vaccines for respiratory infections, are mild and short-lived—like a sore arm or fever.
- Serious side effects are rare and are closely followed through safety systems like VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System). Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccine Safety Page for more information.
- Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to help prevent these serious outcomes.
Are vaccines needed if we have good hygiene and sanitation?
Clean water and good hygiene help reduce disease spread, but they’re not enough to fully stop the spread of germs (viruses and bacteria).
- Vaccines work by training the immune system to help prevent infection against certain diseases—something hygiene alone can’t do.
- Aerosol transmitted illnesses (i.e., transmitted by the air) like respiratory illnesses (e.g., the flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal pneumonia, and RSV) can sometimes be transmitted regardless of hygiene.
- Diseases like measles have increased in areas when vaccination rates dropped. Even if a disease is uncommon in the United States, without continued vaccination, disease rates can increase.
Is natural immunity better than vaccination?
While natural infection can lead to immunity, it often comes at a cost:
- Diseases like measles, chickenpox, and COVID-19 can cause serious complications, hospitalizations, or even death.
- For example, before chickenpox vaccination became common in the early 1990s, the United States saw 10,500–13,500 hospitalizations and 100–150 deaths annually. Today, thanks to vaccination, those numbers have dropped to fewer than 1,400 hospitalizations and 30 deaths per year.
- Vaccines offer protection by helping to train your immune system.
1960s
Scientists have known about mRNA since the 1960s, and vaccine researchers have been exploring its potential for decades.
Have vaccines ever completely eradicated a disease?
Vaccines have had a profound impact on global health.
- Smallpox is one of the human disease that has been eradicated—meaning it no longer exists in the world, and you cannot catch or spread it—and it was done through vaccination.
- Polio was caused by 3 types of closely related germs. Polio virus types 2 was eradicated worldwide in 1999 and polio virus type 3 was eradicated worldwide in 2020. Only polio virus type 1 still exists and it causes disease in only a few countries.
- Diseases like measles and rubella have seen major declines thanks to widespread immunization but are now increasing due to decreasing vaccination rates.
The bottom line on vaccine misunderstandings
Vaccines are one of the most carefully and thoroughly studied medical tools in history. While it’s natural to have questions, it’s important to base decisions on facts. Understanding the evidence behind vaccines helps protect not just you, but your entire community. If you’re still unsure, talk to a healthcare provider or visit VaxAssist.com to check your eligibility, and find and schedule respiratory vaccinations.
What human disease was eradicated through vaccinations?
- No
- Somewhat
- Yes
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Frequently
asked questions
What should I do if I’m still unsure about vaccination?
Talk to a trusted healthcare provider. Ask questions. It’s okay to seek clarity, just make sure your sources are credible, meaning they’re based on validated research, reviewed by experts, or backed by independent studies. For tips on how to talk about vaccines, check out How to talk with your healthcare provider about vaccines.
Do stories about bad vaccine experiences mean the vaccines aren’t safe?
It’s understandable to have questions, especially when you hear about someone else’s experience. But one person’s reaction doesn’t predict how your body will respond. Most people experience only mild side effects. Serious reactions are rare and followed closely. The risks of serious disease and death are much greater from the actual disease such as polio or measles than from the vaccine used to help provide protection. Go to VaxAssist.com to check your eligibility, and find and schedule respiratory vaccinations.
What’s the point of getting vaccinated if I’m already healthy?
Even if you’re healthy now, vaccines can help protect you from getting seriously ill or possibly dying in the future. Vaccines also help reduce the spread of disease to others who may be more vulnerable. So getting vaccinated isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s also a way to help protect those around you.
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References
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Bi K, Bandekar SR, Bouchnita A, Fox SJ, Meyers LA. Annual hospitalizations for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, United States, 2023–2024. Emerg Infect Dis. 2025;31(3).
Ginglen JG, Doyle MQ. Immunization. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025.
Global immunization efforts have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years. The World Health Organization. April 24, 2024. https://www.who.int/news/item/24-04-2024-global-immunization-efforts-have-saved-at-least-154-million-lives-over-the-past-50-years
Impact of U.S. Chickenpox Vaccination Program. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 22, 2024. Accessed July 23, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/vaccination-impact/index.html
Multiple Vaccines at Once. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. December 20, 2024. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/vaccination-impact/index.html
Poliomyelitis (polio). The World Health Organization. Accessed July 23, 2025.
Pollard AJ, Bijker EM. A guide to vaccinology: from basic principles to new developments. Nat Rev Immunol. 2021;21(2):83-100. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-020-00479-7
Tan L, Trevas D, Falsey AR. Adult Vaccine Coadministration Is Safe, Effective, and Acceptable: Results of a Survey of the Literature. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2025;19(3):e70090. doi:10.1111/irv.70090
Vaccine Side Effects. The United States Department of Health and Human Services. May 6, 2022. Accessed June 25, 2025. https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/basics/safety/side-effects/index.html
Vaccines and immunization: Vaccine safety. The World Health Organization. March 26, 2025. Accessed July 23, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/vaccines-and-immunization-vaccine-safety