Interactive vaccination myth slides

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

 e-Bug: Interactive vaccination myth slides

The e-Bug interactive vaccination myth slides

explore common myths and misconceptions
about vaccinations, and provides students with
answers to these questions.

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 1

Many people believe that it is better to let our immune

system fight an infection naturally, or that without
getting infections our immune system will get weaker.
But without vaccines you may get serious or even life-
threatening infections.

Do you think natural immunity is better?

YES NO

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 1

I agree.

Although our immune system is designed to defend us

from infection, it is not fool-proof and sometimes an
infection can be fatal. To let your immune system 'give it
a go' might end in very serious or fatal consequences.
For example, bacterial meningitis and septicaemia can
be prevented through vaccination, but the infections are
always serious and can cause death.

Just because your immune system is not fighting a life-

threatening infection, doesn't mean it's getting weaker.
You are exposed to millions of micro-organisms every
day, and vaccines are only available for a fraction of
micro-organisms out there. Your immune system is
exposed to plenty of micro-organisms and so
is not weakened by vaccination.

Learn about a mum

who chose not to vaccinate her daughter against measle
s, and the outcome of her choice.
BACK NEXT

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 1

I don't agree.

Vaccinations are a lot safer than contracting serious or

potentially life-threatening infections. Vaccines show
vital 'information' about a disease in the form of
antigens to your immune system so that it is prepared
if you become exposed to the infection-causing
pathogen.

Vaccinations are active against only a tiny portion of

the micro-organisms we come into contact with and
scientists are still discovering new micro-organisms
today. Your immune system is therefore exposed to
plenty of other micro-organisms and so
is not weakened by vaccination; there are even
millions of micro-organisms in your gut!

Learn about a mum

who chose not to vaccinate her daughter against measl
es, and the outcome of her choice.

BACK NEXT

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 2

Many young people are concerned about the pain of a

needle.

Does this concern you?

YES NO

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 2

You answered yes.

The needle will sting! Fear of needles is very common,

but although needles can look scary, the sting from an
injection lasts only a fraction of a second. The sting is
minimised if you don't watch and look the other way.

In contrast, the protection that vaccinations provide

from serious infection is long lasting. The short-lived
pain of a needle is far better than treatments that will
be required if you were to have the actual infection.
Talk to the health professional giving the vaccination,
as they can help put your mind at ease.

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e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 2

You answered no.

The sting of having an injection only lasts a fraction of a

second and so there is no reason to fear the needle.
The long term protection that vaccinations provide
from serious illness is far more important than the pain
of a temporary sting.

If you have any concerns in the future, talk to the

health professional giving the vaccination as they can
help put your mind at ease.

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e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 3

Serious side effects from vaccinations are very rare but

this is a concern for many people and it can sometimes
stop them from having a vaccination.

Are you concerned about side effects?

YES NO

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 3

You said you are concerned about side effects.

It is common to get redness and swelling at the site of

the injection, but this is a normal side effect from any
injection and causes no harm. This reaction actually
shows that your immune system is reacting well to the
vaccine.

More serious side effects are extremely rare. If you are

concerned, you should discuss this with your GP or
nurse and make a decision on vaccinations based on
fact rather than fear. Remember, the severity of the
disease can be far worse than side effects from the
vaccination. Read more about vaccine side effects on
NHS choices.

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e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 3

You said you aren't concerned about side effects.

Minor side-effects like swelling, redness, and in some

cases muscle aches are normal and usually only last a
few days. This reaction actually shows that your
immune system is reacting well to the vaccine. Serious
side effects are extremely rare. Read more about
vaccine side effects on NHS choices.

BACK NEXT

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 4

Some people think that they do not need vaccinations

as they are so unlikely to get the infection.

Do you think this might stop you having a

vaccination?

YES NO

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 4

I agree.

Infections that can be prevented by vaccination are rare

because of vaccination. These infections have become rare
because so many people in the population are protected from
contracting and spreading the infection.

However, not all vaccine-preventable infections are rare. For

example, bacterial meningitis is still common among
university freshers. We keep vaccine-preventable infections at
bay through vaccinations. As more people are vaccinated
against these infections, the spread of infection through the
community is reduced, helping to protect yourself and others
around you. This is called herd immunity.

It is important that we continue to be vaccinated to maintain

herd immunity. Everyone is susceptible to infection and so
vaccinations are important for everybody, but they are
especially important for people at greater risk of getting ill.
This includes children, the elderly, immune compromised
people and those with an existing illness. Learn more about
herd immunity by watching the e-Bug animations here.

BACK NEXT

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 4

I don't agree.

Infections that can be prevented by vaccination are

rare because of vaccination. These infections have
become rare because so many people in the
population are protected from contracting and
spreading the infection.

Everybody is susceptible to infection and so it is

important that everyone has vaccinations. Vaccinations
are especially important for people at greater risk of
getting ill including children, the elderly, immune
compromised people and those with an existing illness.
Having a vaccination also protects others around you
as it reduces the spread of infection through the
community. This is called herd immunity. Learn more
about herd immunity by watching the e-Bug
animations here.

BACK NEXT

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 5

Do you know how vaccinations are developed and

tested before they are approved for incorporation into
the national programme? This is a complicated
process, which might make young people unsure about
whether vaccinations are safe.

Do you trust the developers of vaccinations and those

who agree on the Vaccination Programme?

YES NO

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 5

You said you trust the developers of vaccinations.

A vaccination is only introduced into the National

Programme by Ministries of Health if it is proven to
protect against infection and the benefits to the
individual and the population have been fully assessed.

The benefits of a vaccination must greatly outweigh

any risks. A vaccination will not be introduced into the
National Programme if there are any significant risks to
individuals. Watch a video about the development of
the rotavirus vaccine here.

BACK

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan

e-Bug: Myth 5

You said you don't trust the developers of

vaccinations.

Vaccinations are fully assessed before being introduced

into the National Programme. They are introduced by
Ministries of Health only if they have been proven to
protect against disease.

The benefits and risks associated with each vaccination

are assessed before approval. A vaccination will not be
introduced into the National Programme if there are
any significant risks to individuals. Watch a video about
the development of the rotavirus vaccine here.

BACK

e-Bug Young Adult Lesson Plan