Vaccine hesitancy: A personal and public reflection
This week, my daughter received her chickenpox vaccine—a moment that felt both routine and quietly monumental. As a parent, I felt relief knowing she’s protected from a disease that, while often mild, can lead to serious complications. But as a healthcare professional deeply invested in public wellbeing, I also found myself reflecting on the broader context of vaccine uptake, trust, and the persistent shadow of hesitancy that continues to shape public health outcomes.
Starting January 2026, Northern Ireland will introduce the chickenpox vaccine as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule. It will be delivered through a combined MMRV vaccine—protecting against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). This marks a significant step forward in safeguarding children’s health and reducing school absences, hospitalisations, and the economic burden of preventable illness.
Yet, the inclusion of chickenpox in the MMRV vaccine inevitably brings us back to a controversy that has lingered far too long: the myth that the MMR vaccine causes autism.
The MMR-Autism Myth: How It Began
In 1998, a now-retracted study by Andrew Wakefield was published in The Lancet, suggesting a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. The study was based on just 12 children, lacked a control group, and was riddled with methodological flaws and ethical violations. Wakefield’s claims were later found to be not only scientifically unfounded but also influenced by undisclosed financial interests. He was subsequently struck off the UK medical register.
Despite the retraction and widespread condemnation from the scientific community, the damage was done. Vaccination rates plummeted, and outbreaks of measles and mumps surged across the UK and Ireland. Tragically, some children died from diseases that could have been prevented.
What the Evidence Actually Shows
Since the controversy erupted, numerous large-scale studies have been conducted to investigate any possible link between the MMR vaccine and autism. These studies, conducted in multiple countries and involving hundreds of thousands of children, have consistently found no causal association between the MMR vaccine and autism.
The Johns Hopkins Institute for Vaccine Safety, among others, has affirmed that the timing of autism diagnosis—often around the same age children receive the MMR—led to a misleading temporal association. But correlation is not causation. The scientific consensus is clear: MMR is safe, effective, and essential for preventing serious childhood illnesses.
Why Vaccine Hesitancy Persists
Vaccine hesitancy isn’t just about misinformation—it’s about trust. Parents want to protect their children, and when they feel uncertain or unsupported, they may turn to anecdotal evidence or online echo chambers. The legacy of the MMR-autism myth shows how fragile public confidence can be, and how difficult it is to rebuild once it’s been shaken.
As Northern Ireland prepares to roll out the MMRV vaccine, we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to communicate clearly, transparently, and compassionately. That means acknowledging fears, sharing evidence, and reinforcing the message that vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have to protect our children and communities.
A Personal Note
Watching my daughter get her chickenpox vaccine reminded me that every jab is more than a needle—it’s a gesture of care, a shield against uncertainty, and a vote of confidence in science. I hope that by sharing this, I can contribute in some small way to a more informed, less fearful conversation about vaccines.
Let’s keep talking. Let’s keep listening. And let’s keep protecting our children—together.
