7 Myths About the Measles Vaccine

Since December, more than 100 people in 14 states have been infected with measles in an outbreak traced to Disneyland, Melissa Stockwell, MD, MPH, assistant professor of pediatrics and of population & family health, has spoken out to debunk seven myths about the measles vaccine.

Prominent among them is the myth that vaccines have scary side effects, including autism and sudden infant death syndrome, and that they can even be fatal.

According to Dr. Stockwell, most side effects from vaccines are minor, such as a fever or sore arm. More serious adverse reactions are quite uncommon. In numerous studies scientists have found no relationship between vaccines and autism or vaccines and SIDS.

Watch the Mailman School video to learn about all seven measles myths.