Worried about vaccine myths like autism links? Get the facts — backed by science — on vaccine safety, effectiveness and common misconceptions.

Published: July 17, 2025

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Vaccines are a safe and essential part of keeping children healthy. They protect against serious illnesses like measles, whooping cough and polio — and help prevent the spread of disease to others, including babies and people with weakened immune systems.

It’s normal for parents to have questions. Here is a guide to clear up common vaccine myths with evidence-based facts, so you can make informed decisions for your child. We’ve included answers to the question: “Do vaccines cause autism?”

Common myths, debunked

Myth 1: Vaccines cause autism.

Vaccine misinformation may have been triggered by a study published in 1998 linking vaccines to autism. It was later discredited and retracted, and the author was restricted from practicing medicine in Britain, after it was revealed that the study had many significant issues, including fabricated data and ethical violations. Since then, this myth has persisted, despite several major medical institutions debunking it. 

“Because we still don’t know what causes autism, blaming vaccines may give parents a sense of control, rather than accepting that what might cause autism is unknown and unpredictable factors,” said Patrick K. Hynes, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Group. 

Myth 2: Too many vaccines at once can overwhelm the immune system.

Children’s immune systems interact with thousands of germs daily. The human immune system is incredibly complex and can handle a vast number of antigens (triggers for an immune response). Children come into contact with these antigens through food, interactions with others and the environment. Following the recommended vaccines schedule is safe and saves time and money compared with extra visits to the pediatrician should kids get sick from preventable illnesses. Delaying vaccines can pose an increased risk of getting sick.  

Myth 3: It’s better to get the disease than the vaccine.

You are far more likely to be injured from a vaccine-preventable disease than you are from the vaccine for it. Vaccines trigger your body’s natural defenses to get the body ready for the disease, but vaccines do not cause illnesses such as mumps, rubella, measles or influenza (flu). The benefits to vaccines outweigh the risks. These diseases are dangerous in young children, older adults and people who are immunocompromised. 

Myth 4: We don’t need vaccines — those diseases are gone.

The Lancet medical journal published a study saying vaccines have saved over 154 million lives worldwide, including 146 million children, since about 1974. Yet the World Health Organization warns that outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are on the rise worldwide, due to misinformation, funding cuts and population growth. Lower vaccination rates in the U.S. have led to outbreaks of diseases that haven’t been a public health issue in decades, such as measles and mumps.

“Vaccines protect children and other vulnerable groups,” Dr. Hynes said.

Myth 5: Vaccines contain harmful ingredients.

Vaccine ingredients are carefully tested and monitored to make sure they are safe. Most of what’s in a vaccine is either a tiny piece of the virus or bacteria (or instructions for your body to make one), along with ingredients that help the vaccine work better or stay fresh. These include things like salts, sugars, or fats — ingredients also found in everyday foods and medicines. The amounts used are extremely small, and health experts around the world agree that they’re safe for almost everyone. Before any vaccine is approved, it goes through years of testing to catch even the smallest risks. Some people have concerns about thimerosal, a compound used to preserve the vaccine, and aluminum. Thimerosal was removed from childhood vaccines in 2001, and the amounts of aluminum in vaccines are lower than what is found in breastmilk or formula. 

Myth 6: The government is tracking us through the vaccine.

“There are absolutely no tracking devices, microchips or any other electronic technology in vaccines,” Dr. Hynes said. “The vaccines are not helping anyone track vaccinated people.” What you can do
Schedule your child’s annual well visit to catch up on any missed vaccines. If your child is an existing patient, you also can check their immunization record anytime through Norton MyChart.