Pros and Cons of Vaccinations

According to the World Health Organization, 2 to 3 million deaths are avoided each year, thanks to vaccinations. They also say that 1.5 million deaths could have been avoided if more vaccinations were given. These numbers are staggering and lend credibility to just how important vaccines are. Still, there has been debate over whether vaccines are actually safe and effective for preventing diseases like pertussis (whooping cough), measles, and polio.

With so many conflicting opinions floating around, it can be hard to understand whether you should — or shouldn’t — immunize yourself or your child. Read on for more information about how vaccines work, which vaccinations you and your child need to stay healthy, where you can get them, and when you should.

What are vaccines?

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your family from serious illnesses. They work by teaching the immune system how to recognize and fight harmful viruses and bacteria before they cause disease. Thanks to vaccines, many once-deadly diseases—like measles, polio, and whooping cough—are now rare. Vaccines are rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness and are an essential part of maintaining public health. By keeping up with recommended vaccines, you’re not only protecting yourself but also helping safeguard those who are more vulnerable, like newborns, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and combat specific diseases. They introduce a harmless form of a virus or bacteria—either a weakened, inactivated, or genetically engineered version—to trigger an immune response. The immune system then creates antibodies, which are proteins that fight infections.

The key benefit of vaccination is immune memory: if the body encounters the real virus or bacteria later, it can respond quickly, often preventing illness entirely or reducing its severity. Some vaccines provide lifelong immunity after a few doses, while others, like the flu vaccine, need regular boosters to remain effective against evolving viruses.

How effective are vaccines?

Vaccines are highly effective in preventing disease, and their success is backed by decades of research. Most vaccines reduce the risk of infection by 85-99%, significantly lowering the likelihood of severe illness and hospitalization.

Common Vaccines and Their Efficacy:

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) – 97% effective after two doses

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap) – 95% effective

• Polio Vaccine – 99% effective after four doses

• Influenza (Flu) Vaccine – Varies each year, typically 40-60% effective

• COVID-19 Vaccine – Reduces severe illness and hospitalization risk by 80-90%

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine – Nearly 100% effective in preventing HPV-related cancers

• Hepatitis B Vaccine – 95% effective in preventing infection

• Pneumococcal Vaccine – 85-90% effective in preventing severe disease

• Shingles Vaccine – 90% effective in preventing shingles in older adults

Are vaccines safe?

Vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness before they are approved for public use. They go through extensive clinical trials and continuous monitoring by the FDA, CDC, and other health organizations to detect and investigate any potential risks.

Serious side effects from vaccines are extremely rare, and most people experience only mild reactions like soreness at the injection site or a slight fever. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, as vaccines prevent millions of hospitalizations and deaths worldwide every year. The rigorous safety monitoring system ensures that vaccines remain one of the safest medical interventions available.

What are the potential side effects of vaccinations?

Most vaccine side effects are mild and temporary. They typically include redness or swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever, fatigue, or body aches. Severe allergic reactions are extremely rare, occurring in about 1 to 2 people per million doses.

COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects

Common side effects include arm soreness, fatigue, headache, mild fever, and muscle aches. Severe reactions are rare but may include allergic reactions or myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) in young males.

DTaP Vaccine Side Effects (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis)

May cause mild fever, redness at the injection site, irritability, and tiredness. Serious reactions, like seizures or allergic reactions, are extremely rare.

Hepatitis Vaccine Side Effects

Common reactions include arm soreness, mild fever, or fatigue. Severe reactions are very rare but could include allergic responses.

HPV Vaccine Side Effects

Most common side effects are arm pain, dizziness, mild fever, or nausea. Fainting is possible, especially in teens, so it’s recommended to sit or lie down after vaccination.

Influenza Vaccine Side Effects (Flu Vaccine)

Mild reactions include soreness at the injection site, fatigue, mild fever, or headache. Flu shots cannot give you the flu, but they may cause mild flu-like symptoms.

MMR Vaccine Side Effects (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)

Mild fever, rash, or temporary joint pain can occur. Severe reactions like allergic responses are very rare.

Pneumococcal Vaccine Side Effects (Pneumonia)

Injection site redness, fatigue, or mild fever are the most common side effects. Severe reactions are rare.

Shingles Vaccine Side Effects

Pain at the injection site, fatigue, muscle aches, and mild fever are common. Severe side effects are uncommon.

Varicella Vaccine Side Effects (Chickenpox)

Mild rash, soreness at the injection site, or low fever may occur. Severe allergic reactions are rare.

How are vaccines approved for us?

Before a vaccine is available to the public, it undergoes a rigorous approval process. The FDA oversees extensive laboratory research, followed by clinical trials in thousands of volunteers. These trials evaluate safety, dosage, and effectiveness.

Once approved, vaccines continue to be monitored through multiple safety tracking systems, including the CDC’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This ongoing surveillance ensures vaccines remain safe for all populations.

Who should get vaccinated?

Most people benefit from routine vaccinations, but specific recommendations vary by age, health condition, and risk factors.

Vaccination Schedule for Children (Birth to Age 6):

• Hepatitis B – Birth, 1-2 months, 6-18 months

• DTaP – 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months, 4-6 years

• Polio (IPV) – 2, 4, 6-18 months, 4-6 years

• MMR – 12-15 months, 4-6 years

• Varicella (Chickenpox) – 12-15 months, 4-6 years

• Hib, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A – Various schedules

Vaccination Schedule for Children (Ages 7-18):

• Tdap – 11-12 years

• HPV – 11-12 years (two doses)

• Meningococcal – 11-12 years, booster at 16 years

• Flu Vaccine – Every year

Vaccination Schedule for Adults (Ages 19+):

• Tdap/Td booster – Every 10 years

• Flu Vaccine – Annually

• Shingles – 50+ years (two doses)

• Pneumococcal – 65+ years or high-risk individuals

• COVID-19 Booster – As recommended by CDC

Can I delay my child’s vaccination schedule?

While some parents choose to delay their children’s vaccines, or space out the time between each vaccination, the CDC doesn’t recommend this practice. They say that “infants and young children who follow immunization schedules that spread out or leave out shots are at risk of developing diseases during the time you delay their shots.”

Do you need vaccines to travel outside of the U.S.?

Many countries require specific vaccines before entry, and some destinations pose a higher risk of disease exposure.

Recommended Travel Vaccines:

• Yellow Fever (Certain regions in Africa and South America)

• Typhoid (Parts of Asia, Africa, and South America)

• Hepatitis A & B

• Japanese Encephalitis (Asia)

• Rabies (High-risk areas)

Where you’re traveling to plays a big role in which travel immunizations you’ll need to get. The CDC provides a full list of destinations and the vaccines required to travel to them.

Where can you get vaccines?

Vaccines are widely available at healthcare providers, pharmacies, and urgent care centers. Many urgent care clinics offer walk-in vaccinations, making it quick and convenient to stay up to date. Check with your local provider for availability.

By staying informed and keeping up with recommended vaccinations, you’re taking an important step in protecting yourself, your family, and your community.