Childhood Immunizations: Busting Common Myths and Concerns

When it comes to protecting our kids, we all want to make the best decisions. But in recent years, a flood of misinformation has made it harder for parents to feel confident about childhood vaccines.

At Southwest Pediatrics & Family Care, we believe in empowering families with facts—not fear. Let's explore the most common myths around childhood immunizations and give you the clarity you need to protect your child’s health.

Vaccines Are One of the Greatest Public Health Tools

Before we address the myths, it’s important to remember that vaccines have saved millions of lives. In fact, the CDC estimates that routine childhood vaccinations will prevent 419 million illnesses and 936,000 deaths among children born between 1994 and 2021 in the U.S. alone (Whitney, Zhou, & Singleton, 2014).

Thanks to immunizations, diseases like diphtheria, measles, and polio—once feared—have been nearly wiped out in the U.S. But that doesn’t mean the risk is gone.

Myth 1: “Natural Immunity Is Better Than Vaccines”

While natural immunity can occur after illness, it often comes at a high cost. The complications from infections like measles or pertussis can be severe—even deadly. In contrast, vaccines offer protection without causing the disease itself.

According to Plotkin (2014), the risks associated with infection far outweigh those of immunization. For example, measles can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, or even death, especially in young children.

Myth 2: “Too Many Shots at Once Overwhelm a Child’s Immune System”

This concern is common but unfounded. The current vaccine schedule is carefully designed based on decades of research. Infants are exposed to far more antigens (germs) daily through eating, playing, and breathing than through vaccines.

Offit, Quarles, and Gerber (2002) explain that even if all 14 recommended vaccines were given at once, it would use only a tiny fraction of a child’s immune capacity.

Myth 3: “Vaccines Cause Autism”

This is one of the most harmful—and persistent—myths. The idea originally came from a now-debunked and retracted 1998 study. Since then, numerous large-scale studies have found no link between vaccines and autism.

Taylor, Swerdfeger, and Eslick (2014) reviewed studies involving over 1.2 million children and found no evidence that vaccines increase autism risk. Despite the scientific consensus, the myth lingers and continues to harm public trust.

Myth 4: “The Diseases We Vaccinate Against Are Gone Anyway”

It might feel like these diseases are a thing of the past—but that’s only because vaccines have kept them away. They still exist and can return quickly if immunization rates drop.

Take polio, for example. Once a major cause of paralysis in children, polio was eliminated from the U.S. by 1979 and the Western Hemisphere by 1991—but it hasn’t disappeared globally (Estivariz, Link‑Gelles, & Shimabukuro, 2024). Travelers from areas with active polio can reintroduce the virus into under-vaccinated communities.

Why the Vaccine Schedule Matters

The CDC-recommended immunization schedule isn’t random—it’s based on when children are most vulnerable and when vaccines work best. Delaying or spacing out vaccines can leave your child exposed to preventable diseases longer than necessary.

Havers et al. (2022) emphasize that on-time vaccination is critical to community-wide protection, especially for infants too young to be vaccinated themselves.

Addressing Hesitancy: What Parents Can Do

If you still have questions, that’s okay. Here’s how to feel more confident:

• Talk to your pediatrician. They're your best resource for science-backed, personalized advice.

• Ask for reputable sources. Look for peer-reviewed studies and official public health resources.

• Know you're not alone. Many parents ask the same questions—it’s a sign you care.

Southwest Pediatric & Family Care Is Here to Support You

We understand that vaccine decisions can feel overwhelming. That’s why we offer compassionate, research-backed care and are always happy to talk through any concerns.

Whether your child is due for their first shots or you’re catching up on a schedule, we’re here to help you feel confident every step of the way.

Your child’s health is worth protecting—with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Schedule your immunization visit today at swpedscare.com or call 575-936-4350.

References

• Estivariz, C. F., Link‑Gelles, R., & Shimabukuro, T. (2024). Chapter 18: Poliomyelitis. In Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine‑Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/pinkbook/hcp/table-of-contents/chapter-18-poliomyelitis.html

• Havers, F. P., Fleming-Dutra, K. E., Moulia, D. L., et al. (2022). Use of recommended age-appropriate vaccines among children aged 19–35 months — United States, 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 71(39), 1234–1240. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7139a1

• Offit, P. A., Quarles, J., Gerber, M. A., et al. (2002). Addressing parents’ concerns: Do multiple vaccines overwhelm or weaken the infant’s immune system? Pediatrics, 109(1), 124–129. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.109.1.124

• Plotkin, S. A. (2014). History of vaccination. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(34), 12283–12287. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1400472111

• Taylor, L. E., Swerdfeger, A. L., & Eslick, G. D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: An evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine, 32(29), 3623–3629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.085

• Whitney, C. G., Zhou, F., & Singleton, J. (2014). Benefits from immunization during the vaccines for children program era — United States, 1994–2013. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 63(16), 352–355. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6316a4.htm