Childhood Immunisations - MythBusters

 

Especially with the start of the flu vaccination season upon us, we wanted to provide more information about the children's flu vaccines and other childhood immunisations.

When it comes to your child's health and decision-making time about immunisations it is natural to have questions and want to find out more. With so much information out there - it can be hard to know what to believe.

We have listed some of the most common myths and their responses - so that you can confidently make informed decisions.

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Myths

Myth - vaccines overload a child's immune system

Response: Vaccines use only a tiny portion of the capability of the immune system. Every day children encounter (and touch or eat!) things that give their immune system far more to deal with than a vaccine does.

Myth - Natural immunity is better than vaccine-acquired immunity

Natural infection can lead to serious complications. Vaccines offer safe, effective protection without the risks of the disease itself.

Myth - vaccines contain harmful ingredients

Response: All vaccine ingredients are present in safe, tested and regulated amounts. They have been thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness before being approved.

Myth - flu is just a bad cold

Response: Flu can cause serious illness, especially in young children and people with pre-existing health conditions. Each year, healthy children are hospitalised with flu complications and tragically, some children die from flu. It's much more severe than a common cold.

Myth - the flu vaccine gives you the flu

Respose: 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 the flu vaccine last year, so they are protected

Response: Flu viruses change each year - which is why the vaccine is updated annually to match the most common strains.

Myth: Childhood illnesses like measles aren't serious

Response: Measles can lead to pneumonia., brain inflammation and even death. Vaccination helps prevent these severe outcomes.

Myth: The MMR vaccine causes autism

Response: There is no proven link between the MMR vaccination and autism. This myth comes from a flawed study that has since been disproved.

Published: Sep 22, 2025