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Vaccines overload the immune system. People are getting too many vaccines too soon
Some people will reject vaccinations based on unwarranted beliefs. For example, the claim that the body has a ‘natural healing potential’ or that ‘natural’ is always better. This may lead people to believe that suffering a ‘natural’ disease in order to achieve subsequent immunity is preferable to being vaccinated, which is the exact opposite of the actual risks.
Many adherents of ‘alternative medicine’ hold unwarranted beliefs and are sceptical of vaccinations.
Research has shown that these unwarranted beliefs are particularly shaped by ‘cognitive variables’, a psychological term which describes the ways in which people process information.
It is these cognitive variables that separate unwarranted beliefs from conspiracist beliefs, which is primarily influenced by perceived threat and emotional variables.
These cognitive variables include:
This theme claims that vaccines are overloading or overwhelming our immune systems, particularly in infants and children. It argues that people are getting vaccines too young, too soon, or are having too many.
In extreme forms, individuals perceive healthcare systems to be focusing too much on medicating people. They may therefore reject vaccination as it is a part of this perceived problem.
It is normal to have questions and doubts about medical treatments. For example, some people may be concerned about a potential overuse of vaccines because other medicines such as antibiotics are sometimes prescribed when they are not needed.
Since all medicines can cause side effects, we do not want to be overusing any of them. It is understandable to wonder if this also extends to vaccine recommendations.
Dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals is most productive if it is guided by empathy, and an opportunity for the patient to affirm the reasons underlying their attitudes and to express understanding for that. That’s why it is important to understand the attitude roots behind people’s overt opinions. To affirm a person’s underlying attitude root does not mean we need to agree with the specifics of their argument. For example, we can acknowledge that:
It is normal to have questions and doubts about medical treatments. For example, some people may be concerned about a potential overuse of vaccines because other medicines such as antibiotics are sometimes prescribed when they are not needed.
Since all medicines can cause side effects, we do not want to be overusing any of them. It is understandable to wonder if this also extends to vaccine recommendations.
Medical and public health experts determine vaccination schedules on the basis of vaccine safety and effectiveness, weighed against the severity of the diseases they prevent. Experts design this schedule taking into account potential interactions and side effects, to protect against diseases that can have severe consequences.
A review of scientific evidence by the World Health Organization found no evidence that being vaccinated with multiple vaccines at any age can weaken or harm the immune system. In fact, vaccines work by strengthening the immune system, training it to recognise viruses and to fight against them. Without vaccines, the immune system risks being overloaded by trying to fight off infections without training.
Additional information:
Academic references:
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