What is a common misconception about vaccines?

A common misconception about vaccines is that they can cause the diseases they protect against. This belief stems from a misunderstanding of how vaccines work. Most vaccines contain inactivated (killed) pathogens or fragments of pathogens, which cannot cause the disease in healthy individuals.

For instance, live attenuated vaccines might use weakened forms of the virus; however, these are specifically designed to elicit an immune response without causing illness in the vast majority of people. The purpose of vaccines is to prepare the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens without having to experience the actual disease first.

Understanding this misconception is crucial for promoting vaccine uptake and addressing vaccine hesitancy. By educating individuals about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, healthcare providers can help dispel this myth and encourage people to receive their vaccinations according to established health guidelines.