Dr Stephen Lambert chats about common vaccine myths and misunderstandings.
We sat down with Queensland Health Senior Medical Officer, Dr Stephen Lambert to talk about vaccines and myth bust common vaccine misunderstandings.
It’s a good thing to have questions about vaccines. After all, making informed healthcare choices (for you and your family) is really important.
The more you understand how vaccines work, the more confident you can feel in your decisions.
Dr Stephen Lambert emphasised the value of knowledge, explaining that understanding vaccines helps us appreciate what they do and why they matter.
“If you’re feeling unsure about getting vaccinated – for yourself or your child, I hope this information gives you the clarity and confidence you need,” he said.
“As you research online, remember to check the credibility of sources. Misinformation spreads easily.”
For five tips on checking source credibility, visit this helpful site from the Australian National University.
We’ve listed some reliable sources for information on vaccination at the end of this page.
Unpacking common vaccine misunderstandings
For as long as vaccines have existed, there have been people who disagree with them for various reasons. Some religious and cultural beliefs may conflict with elements of vaccine science, while others suspect that factors beyond disease prevention are at play.
In this myth busting exercise, we’re going to look at common vaccine misunderstandings that have gained traction and support online and explain the facts.
If you have any additional questions, it’s best to speak to your general practitioner (GP) or healthcare professional.
- Vaccines don’t work, I still got sick
- Vaccines alter my DNA
- Vaccines cause autism
- Vaccines are unnecessary, diseases we vaccinate against aren’t prevalent anymore
- Natural immunity is better than vaccination
- Vaccines aren’t safe
- Trials for the COVID-19 vaccine were rushed
Unsupported claim: Vaccines don’t work, I still got sick
“Vaccines were made for three things. The first, to prevent death. The second, to prevent serious illness. And the third, to minimise transmission,” Dr Lambert said.
“We’ve been lucky that some vaccines, like the one for measles, work so well that one dose can protect you from contracting it by 95 per cent, and two doses up to 98 per cent.
“Not all vaccines will provide the same outcome, but they are extremely effective in preventing serious illness and death and help you to recover faster should you become infected. For example, while you might still get the flu after you have had flu vaccine, the vaccine reduces your risk of going to hospital, ending up in ICU, or dying from your infection.
“So yes, even though you’ve had a vaccine against a certain illness, you still may get sick – but you’re much less likely to miss a week or more of work or school, you’re much less likely to be hospitalised, and you’re much less likely to suffer serious complications.
“This is particularly the case for viruses such as flu, COVID and RSV. These viruses circulate widely every year, particularly in the colder months, so you may still catch the virus. But vaccination aims to prevent severe illness.
“You may still get sick, but if you had not been vaccinated the chances are you would suffer more severe illness.
“High vaccination rates means we can achieve herd immunity against many diseases. This means enough people in the community are vaccinated which limits or even stops transmission completely because the disease is essentially squashed and cannot be passed from person to person.
“Immunity on Survivor means a contestant is untouchable – they can’t be voted off; they are 100 per cent and completely protected. Immunity in healthcare means the body’s ability to defend itself against a disease due to the presence of antibodies produced in response to vaccination.
“You won’t always be completely untouchable from infections like a Survivor contestant from being voted off, but your body’s immune system will work to protect you from serious illness and death.”
Young child receiving vaccination. Photo courtesy: Queensland Health.
Unsupported claim: Vaccines alter my DNA
This claim specifically relates to the COVID-19 vaccine which is the first type of vaccine to use mRNA technology.
The short answer is no – vaccines will not alter, change, or manipulate your DNA.
DNA is like an instruction manual for your body - it carries the blueprint for everything that makes you you. Your DNA lives in the nucleus (the central part) of every cell. mRNA from the vaccines does not get into the nuclei of your cells, it stays in the outer part called the cytoplasm.
Dr Lambert explains:
“mRNA is a message to your cell’s machinery so they can create the proteins your body needs to build an immune response against. This is a naturally occurring process that happens in every cell, every day,” he said.
“mRNA vaccine technology is about harnessing this process, but instead of the usual message they carry, mRNA from the vaccine tells our body to create a protein to mimic coronavirus.
“Our immune system responds to these new proteins which is then trained to recognise then in the future should the body become infected.
“When people say they don’t want a vaccine to interfere with how their body works – well an infection from a virus does the same thing. It sends instructions to our cells to make up all of the components of the infecting virus, including the ‘bad’ proteins. Our body’s reaction to these virus components makes us sick.
“If you’re thinking about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, you’re giving your body the chance to create ‘good’ proteins, so the immune system is prepped and ready to fight the virus.”
mRNA vaccine research has been underway since the 1960s and 1970s, it’s not a new science.
mRNA is one of seven different types of vaccines. Click here for a brief overview of the others, explained by Dr Lambert.
Unsupported claim: Vaccines cause autism
Making a comeback like the 90s low rise jeans and mini shoulder bags trend – is the theory that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MRR) vaccine causes autism in children.
Dr Lambert explains:
“These concerns were taken very seriously by the scientific and medical communities when first raised. Since the 90s, many studies have been conducted and they all – without exception – found no evidence to suggest vaccination led children to develop autism,” he said.
“If vaccines caused autism, what we’d expect to see is more cases of autism in children who have been vaccinated.
“We’d expect to see children diagnosed with autism relatively soon after receiving a vaccination. And we’d expect to maybe see that the more vaccines a child has, the more pronounced their autism would be. None of this is the case.
“More than half a million children were part of a 2002 Danish study – it concluded there was no link or association between the MMR vaccine and autism or any other spectrum-related disorders.
“The study looked at ages when a child was vaccinated, and when a child was diagnosed with autism, as well as other factors including age, weight, gestational age at birth, autism or other similar disorders in the parents and the socioeconomic status of the parents.”
This Danish study also explained that while the MMR vaccination was introduced to the country in 1987, autism numbers rose only from the mid-1990s.
“If the vaccine caused autism, Denmark would’ve expected to see a spike of cases when the vaccine was first introduced, but they didn’t,” Dr Lambert said.
“Parents deciding whether to have their children vaccinated do not need to worry about the risk of autism.”
There is no single known cause of autism, however it is thought genetics and environment may play a role – not vaccinations.[1]
Prevalence of autism has increased over the years but it’s not necessarily the case that autism cases are on the rise, rather that autism diagnoses are on the rise.[2]
The more we learn about autism, the more we can ensure children (or adults) receive the diagnosis and support they need.
Unsupported claim: Vaccines are unnecessary, diseases we vaccinate against aren’t prevalent anymore
Polio patients in iron lungs at the Children’s Hospital in Melbourne; date unknown. Picture courtesy of: Royal Children’s Hospital Archives.
These days, it’s uncommon to know anyone in Australia that has had measles, polio, diphtheria, mumps, rubella or tetanus. But have you ever wondered why that is?
There was a time when all these diseases were prevalent – and were causing severe illness or even death in Australia, and worldwide.
But now the diseases we vaccinate against aren’t prevalent anymore in Australia. This is because we keep them at bay due to vaccines – and importantly, high vaccination rates (which creates herd immunity).
These diseases did not naturally decrease in prevalence in Australia – they were eliminated through vaccination.
Explaining herd immunity
A community where most people are immune to a disease, either through vaccination or past infection makes it much harder for the illness to spread from person to person. That’s the essence of herd immunity - when enough people have immunity, it indirectly safeguards those who aren’t protected, including individuals who can’t be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
But here’s the key: herd immunity isn’t automatic. It only works when immunisation rates are high enough to stop outbreaks in their tracks. If too few people are vaccinated, the disease can still circulate, putting vulnerable individuals, particularly children, at risk.
Australia’s successful National Immunisation Program – “the NIP” – has helped to eliminate severe and dangerous diseases that many Aussie parents haven’t witnessed in their children or even in their lifetimes.
A big part of this is thanks to high vaccination rates. For a long time, we enjoyed the benefits of 95 per cent vaccination coverage against diseases that would otherwise spread quickly.
This includes measles, polio, diphtheria, meningococcal, tuberculosis, and others.
But just because they don’t exist in Australia, does not mean they don’t exist elsewhere in the world. With declining immunisation rates, it’s realistic that some diseases may make a comeback in Australia if rates decline too far.
Dr Lambert explains:
“The severity of some infections, especially in young children, can be dangerous – and it doesn’t have to be this way,” he said.
“Australia achieved measles elimination in 2014 which means we no longer see any ongoing local transmission of the virus.
“But Australians like to travel, and it’s not uncommon for backpackers or families to return from holiday carrying measles – one of the most contagious diseases out there.
“Indonesia and Vietnam are currently experiencing large measles outbreaks – both popular destinations for Aussies.
“If you’re heading overseas always check you have the right vaccinations.
“One thing we hear a lot from young adults is ‘I thought I was vaccinated, my parents said I would’ve had that one’ – but vaccinations on offer have changed over the years and you can’t know for certain that you’re vaccinated without a record to show it.
“If you can’t find documentation, see your doctor and get vaccinated.”
With Australia’s childhood vaccination rates declining each year this should be a concern for everyone – and it’s not just measles we need to worry about.
Mothers with small children awaiting immunisation against Diphtheria and Whooping Cough at Brisbane City Council's Health Department service room. Picture courtesy of: State Library of Queensland.
Unsure about what these highly infectious diseases can do to little bodies? Read below:
| Infectious disease | Immunisation outcome |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria causes a growth in the throat, causing blocked airways and trouble breathing. One in 10 diphtheria patients die – it was once in the top ten causes of childhood death. | Diphtheria deaths dropped dramatically after vaccines were introduced in the 1940s. Prior to two cases in NSW in 2022, there had been no cases of respiratory diphtheria in children in Australia since 1992. |
Polio can cause paralysis in limbs and the diaphragm. Paralysed breathing muscles can lead to death. Of those who survive polio, around half are permanently paralysed. | Australia was declared polio-free in 2000 thanks to the country’s vaccination program. |
As well as causing a fever and swelling of the salivary glands, mumps can have lasting impacts such as hearing loss and infertility. | There have been no childhood deaths from mumps since vaccination was funded in Australia in 1983. |
Measles can cause a fever, a red, blotchy rash, and a cough. In some cases, it can lead to serious complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, and brain inflammation (encephalitis). One in ten children will experience a severe case of measles. Measles also completely attacks the immune system leaving children more susceptible from serious illnesses in the future for many years. | Australia was declared measles-free in 2014. Australia still experiences measles outbreaks when overseas travellers or returning Australians bring it with them. |
Unsupported claim: Natural immunity is better than vaccination
Some people believe that our bodies are better off fighting infectious diseases without any medical help.
They believe that it’s normal (and even healthier) for children to experience childhood infectious diseases (such as diphtheria, whooping cough, and polio – see above) to build natural immunity.
Dr Lambert explains why natural doesn’t always equal better.
“While some children who recover from an infectious disease are protected from catching it again, they’re more likely to become seriously ill in the process,” he said.
“It’s not a free ride to building immunity – the body still needs to be hit with the infection, fight it, and beat it to earn immunity.
“Chicken pox is one example where most children won’t suffer serious complications, but it’s a very different story with things like whooping cough, RSV, and invasive meningococcal disease, which can result in severe illness and lifelong health impacts.
“These infections can be extremely dangerous in children, and it’s hard to see little ones end up in hospital knowing that it could’ve been prevented.”
Protection from vaccination is better than natural immunity because the risk of getting the serious complications from contracting the disease are greatly reduced. Basically, you don’t have to risk it to get the biscuit!
Vaccination is also the best way to achieve herd immunity, as it means those who can’t be vaccinated (for other health reasons) can also enjoy the benefits of immunisation.
When a large portion of the community is vaccinated, it means that those who can’t get a vaccine (mostly due to other health conditions or concerns or because they are too young) are protected against diseases too.
Unsupported claim: Vaccines aren’t safe
Getting in a car or walking across the road – these are all risks we take every other day and we usually don't give them a second thought.
As with any risk we face, Dr Lambert explains we need to weigh up the risks against the benefits.
“If you’re deciding whether to get vaccinated or to get your kids vaccinated, it comes down to the pros and cons,” Dr Lambert said.
“Side effects from vaccines are minor. Most people will experience a bit of a sore arm, maybe some redness or swelling from the injection site – this will usually last a day or two.
“Sometimes people will experience a bit of a headache or feel a little rundown – which, by the way, are signs the vaccine is actually working and that your immune system is quickly responding! Again, this tends to last only a day or so.
“Side effects from infectious diseases can lead to congestion, rash, fever, and fatigue, and can land you sick in bed for days or weeks at a time.
“For some people, it’s a hospital bed or death.
“We don’t need to be putting our bodies, or our children’s bodies, through sickness and illness anymore. Vaccine-preventable diseases can be avoided or lessened thanks to vaccination.
“Vaccines are a safe form of preventive healthcare – they’re so effective at preventing serious illnesses that they save an estimated two to three million lives every single year."
Flu vaccine. Photo courtesy of: Queensland Health.
In Australia, vaccines pass a rigorous assessment before they are approved and registered for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
This is a brief overview of the three trial phases vaccines must pass.
Phase one: Once the new vaccine is deemed safe through laboratory testing, it’s given to a small number of healthy adults.
Phase two: It’s then given to hundreds of people to test for how people’s immune systems respond, how much or how many doses are needed for protection, and if there are any side effects.
Phase three: It’s then given to thousands of people to test if it can protect large populations and if there are any uncommon or serious side effects.
AusVaxSafety, led by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) was established in 2014 and monitors adverse events following immunisation. It’s real-time data that you can check any time by visiting www.ausvaxsafety.org.au.
Unsupported claim: trials for the COVID-19 vaccine were rushed
If you need to repaint your kitchen and you drop absolutely everything to do it, you’ll probably get it done within a week.
If you need to repaint your kitchen and you’re juggling full time work or being a parent, it’ll likely take you quite a bit longer.
Dr Lambert explains how this is much the same for the creation of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine weren’t rushed. We were lucky that everyone around the world dropped everything to focus their efforts into creating a safe and effective vaccine to protect against the pandemic.
“The COVID-19 vaccines went through the same trials and met the same requirements that all other approved vaccines need to meet in Australia.
“Clinical trials may take a few years because of competing priorities – they don’t take a few years because that’s the length of time to complete the trial. Trials can be done within 30 days; we just don’t usually have worldwide collaboration and funding for one vaccine.”
3D medical background with abstract virus cells. Photo courtesy of: kjpargeter via Freepik.
A brief explanation on different vaccines and how they work.
| Type of vaccine | How it works | Vaccine examples |
|---|---|---|
Inactivated vaccines | A dead version of the germ (made inactive via heat or a treatment) enters the immune system to stimulate a response. Because the germ is inactive it cannot replicate. There is no risk of infection. Because the immune response to inactivated vaccines is generally weaker than a response to live vaccines, multiple doses (booster shots) are usually required to maintain effective immunity over time. |
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| Live-attenuated vaccines | A weakened version of the germ, without the components that cause illness, stimulates a response from the body’s immune system. They’re so similar to the natural infection that the body is able to create a strong and long-lasting immune response. One or two doses of these types of vaccines can give you a lifetime of protection. |
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| Subunit/ recombinant vaccines | A small piece of the germ (e.g. a protein or sugar) is used to stimulate a response from the immune system. Using a specific piece of the germ allows the immune system to develop a very strong response that’s targeted to key parts of the germ. Like other vaccines, booster shots may be required to ensure ongoing protection. |
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| Toxoid vaccines | A piece of toxin made by the germenters the immune system to stimulate a response, rather than the germ itself. In this case, a body’s immune response is targeted to the toxin rather than the whole germ. Booster shots may be required for ongoing protection against diseases. |
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| Viral vector vaccines | A modified version of a different virus enters the immune system to stimulate a response. Disease used as vectors include influenza, measles, and adenovirus (the common cold). |
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| Conjugate vaccines | A type of bacterial vaccine that enhances the immune response by chemically linking a protein molecule to a small portion of the carbohydrate moleculesthat acts as the bacteria’s cell coat. This method improves the body's ability to recognise and respond to the vaccine. |
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| mRNA vaccines | Messenger RNA (mRNA) instructs the cells in our bodies to make specific proteins. An mRNA vaccine contains instructions so cells can create an immune system response. It’s not a live virus, so it cannot cause infection. Booster shots may be required to maintain protection. |
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Resources for further reading
Guide to checking credibility of online sources
- Objectivity: What’s the article’s purpose? Are both sides of facts shown?
- Currency: When was the article published? Is the information current
- Authority: Who is the individual or organisation? Is the author/ spokesperson known in their field?
- Availability: Is the information in the article traceable
- Coverage: Is information in the article from a primary or secondary source? Is it repurposed information or original information?
Source: Australian National University
- Australian Government, Australian Clinical Trials, What is a clinical trial?
- Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Mumps in Australia.
- Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Measles in Australia.
- Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care, Australia declared polio free.
- Australian Government, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Childhood immunisation coverage.
- Australian Government, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Vaccines.
- Autism Awareness Australia, Causes of autism.
- Cleveland Clinic, Herd immunity.
- Healthdirect, Diphtheria.
- Healthdirect, Measles.
- Healthdirect, Mumps.
- Healthdirect, Polio (poliomyelitis).
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Diphtheria is back in Australia, here’s why – and how vaccines can prevent its spread.
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Vaccine types and their components.
- Raising Children Australia, Vaccinations and autism.
- The University of Sydney, Diphtheria is back in Australia, here's why - and how vaccines can prevent its spread.
- US Centres for Disease and Control Prevention, Explaining how vaccines work.
- World Health Organization, Vaccines and immunisation.