Myths and facts about immunization: World Health Organization vaccine safety supporting document

Overview

Vaccine-safety-related events, and how we respond to them, can affect public trust in vaccines and health authorities. These events may or may not be linked to vaccines and include: adverse events following immunization (‎AEFIs)‎, vaccination programme changes, or events that lead to increased negative public debate on the topic of immunization. The guidance in this library was developed based on lessons learned in countries, as well as scientific evidence and research in the fields of psychology, social and behavioural science, and communication.

It is intended to help stakeholders prepare for and avert possible crises, as well as to minimize the negative impacts of any event that has the potential to erode trust. It is important to respond to concerns aboutvaccine safety in a way that does not drivepeople away but wins them over. It is crucialthat people are well informed and are able todistinguish myths from facts.This document provides suggested answersto some prevalent myths concerningimmunization.