FAQ

Last modified

August 31, 2026 @ 14:43 PM

Vaccines protect individuals against disease. Strong immunisation programmes can also provide community immunity to those who are too young or unwell to be vaccinated. By reducing disease outbreaks, vaccines can ease the pressure on healthcare systems and support people in staying active in their workplaces, communities and families.

Healthcare professionals are well placed to address individual questions or concerns about immunisation. Here, we aim answer frequently asked questions about vaccines and vaccination.

#01

Are vaccines proven to work?

#02

What do vaccines do for me?

#01

Are vaccines proven to work?

#02

What do vaccines do for me?

#03

Why do so many people get vaccinated?

#04

Have the pathogens which cause disease been proven to exist?

#03

Why do so many people get vaccinated?

#04

Have the pathogens which cause disease been proven to exist?

#05

If vaccines confer long-term protection, why do they have to be repeated?

#06

Why is it that some people still get sick even though they have been vaccinated?

#05

If vaccines confer long-term protection, why do they have to be repeated?

#06

Why is it that some people still get sick even though they have been vaccinated?

#07

Does giving vaccinations ‘too early’ in life put children at unnecessary risk?

#08

Can giving several vaccines overwhelm a child’s immune system?

#07

Does giving vaccinations ‘too early’ in life put children at unnecessary risk?

#08

Can giving several vaccines overwhelm a child’s immune system?

#09

Do vaccinations cause the diseases they are designed to prevent?

#10

How are vaccines developed?

#09

Do vaccinations cause the diseases they are designed to prevent?

#10

How are vaccines developed?

#11

How were COVID-19 vaccines developed within one year?

#12

Are vaccines safe and effective?

#11

How were COVID-19 vaccines developed within one year?

#12

Are vaccines safe and effective?

#13

Why do some vaccines require boosters?

#14

Do immunisations cause allergies?

#13

Why do some vaccines require boosters?

#14

Do immunisations cause allergies?

#15

Do vaccinations contain toxic chemicals which poison children?

#16

Can contamination occur during the production of vaccines which leads to diseases such as BSE and AIDS?

#15

Do vaccinations contain toxic chemicals which poison children?

#16

Can contamination occur during the production of vaccines which leads to diseases such as BSE and AIDS?

#17

Do vaccines cause autism?

#18

Isn’t it better for children to naturally fight off infectious diseases?

#17

Do vaccines cause autism?

#18

Isn’t it better for children to naturally fight off infectious diseases?

#19

Most adults fought off infectious diseases – like measles – when they were kids, and it never did them any harm. Why not let nature take its course?

#20

Babies receive antibodies with breast milk. Why do they need vaccines if they already get this natural protection?

#19

Most adults fought off infectious diseases – like measles – when they were kids, and it never did them any harm. Why not let nature take its course?

#20

Babies receive antibodies with breast milk. Why do they need vaccines if they already get this natural protection?

#21

Do women who have fought off an infectious disease supply their newborn children with stronger defences against infection than vaccinated mothers?

#22

Why do some doctors advise against immunisation?

#21

Do women who have fought off an infectious disease supply their newborn children with stronger defences against infection than vaccinated mothers?

#22

Why do some doctors advise against immunisation?

#23

Is immunisation really necessary given that most diseases are now treatable?

#24

Why bother vaccinating against diseases which are no longer seen in Europe?

#23

Is immunisation really necessary given that most diseases are now treatable?

#24

Why bother vaccinating against diseases which are no longer seen in Europe?

#25

Hasn’t the burden of disease fallen thanks to improved hygiene and nutrition rather than immunisation?

#26

Isn’t the pharmaceutical industry just out to make money?

#25

Hasn’t the burden of disease fallen thanks to improved hygiene and nutrition rather than immunisation?

#26

Isn’t the pharmaceutical industry just out to make money?

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