5 immunization myths busted

Some people are wary of immunizations due to the many vaccine myths circulating the country. These people run the risk of catching and spreading diseases like measles. The good news is these myths are just that: myths.

Here are the most common myths about immunizations and the facts to bust them:

Myth #1: Adults don’t need to get vaccinated.

Have you heard you need to get vaccines only as a child? People of all ages are encouraged by physicians to receive vaccines. Age is a factor only in determining what type of vaccinations you need. Check out the CDC’s Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule (PDF).

Children typically receive the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine twice when they are young. If you are an adult and have not received the vaccine, you should contact your doctor immediately to see if it is recommended for you.

Myth #2: Vaccines don’t really help people—they’re just a way for health care companies to make money.

Vaccines do more than keep you from getting sick, they also help you avoid costly medical bills, which is a big benefit to you. If you catch a disease that could have been prevented by a vaccine, the cost to treat it can become overwhelming.

Let’s look at measles as an example. In the United States, most children and insured adults can receive the measles vaccine at no cost to them, because the health insurer covers the full expense, which ranges from $100 to $300. But if someone gets measles, the price for doctor visits, medicine, and a hospital stay can be very expensive. In 2025, treating just one measles case cost the health care system about $76,000 on average (PDF). While you might not pay that bill yourself, when more people get sick and need more costly care, like hospital stays, overall medical costs go up. This has a direct effect on premiums and can cause them to rise, too.  So, when you get vaccinated, you help keep yourself healthy and also help control costs for everyone. That’s why getting vaccines is good for your health and your wallet.

Myth #3: Vaccine-preventable diseases have been eliminated from the US, so I don’t need to get vaccinated.

The diseases that vaccines work to prevent are serious and still around. Recently, we’ve seen an uptick in diagnosis of vaccine-preventable disease throughout the United States. In 2025, there were over 2,200 reported cases of measles, with positive cases found in 45 states. This is the highest annual case count since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.

Most of these cases were tied to outbreaks, which have primarily happened in communities where vaccination rates are low. Because measles is extremely contagious, it can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, outbreaks can happen quickly. Just one person with the measles has the potential to infect 12 to 18 others. Pair this with less people getting vaccinated, we expect there to be more outbreaks, and diseases we thought were eliminated may become more common. That’s why getting vaccinated is so important, it protects you, your loved ones, and helps prevent future outbreaks.

Myth #4: Everyone I know is vaccinated, so I won’t catch it.

If everyone thought like this, no one would be protected from disease. Most doctors recommend getting vaccinated to decrease the likelihood of contracting diseases. Placing your health in the hands of anyone other than a doctor can be dangerous, so remember to protect yourself by scheduling an appointment to find out which immunizations you need.

When you get vaccinated, you are also protecting those who are not eligible for certain vaccines – such as infants, pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals – from contracting diseases. This is known as “community immunity.”

Myth #5: The MMR vaccine causes autism.

Many people have been led to believe that there is a link between the MMR vaccines and autism. The Institute of Medicine and the CDC reported there is no scientific proof that vaccines can cause autism.

Myths and false reports cause panic and prevent people from properly weighing the benefits and risks of vaccines. The risks associated with vaccines are far less than the risks associated with actually contracting a disease. The bottom line is to stay focused on prevention.

Beyond the myths

Consult with your family doctor or health care provider to make sure you are up to date on all the vaccines recommended for your age group.

For more information on immunizations visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site, where you can review the immunization schedule for children and adults.

Also, be sure to check out the three vaccines to keep you healthy in the winter.