If You’ve Ever Felt Hesitant About Vaccines

I’m a pediatrician. I’ve counseled hundreds of families through vaccine decisions. I trust vaccines–because the benefits far outweigh the rare risks.

But when it was time to vaccinate my own baby, who was born with a stroke and spent his first days in the NICU–I hesitated. He was already on anti-seizure medications, and I worried about what could happen next. Even with all my training, I didn’t feel like a doctor in that moment. I felt like a mom–scared, uncertain, staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night, wondering what was safest.

And ultimately? I chose to vaccinate. Because the risk of disease was greater.

In the end, I chose to vaccinate. He did well. But the fear didn’t vanish right away–and I know I’m not the only parent who’s felt that.

It’s National Infant Immunization Week, and if you’re feeling unsure about the vaccine schedule or still sorting through questions–you’re not alone.

Whether it’s concern about side effects, spacing out doses, or understanding what’s actually in the vaccines, these are questions I hear often from parents in clinic–and in my DMs.

This newsletter addresses the most common concerns around infant vaccines and offers trusted resources to help. You’ll find answers, research, and support–including our YouTube vaccine series and a downloadable childhood vaccine guide to reference anytime vaccine questions come up. I will be updating this vaccine guide in the summer to include clinical nuance from the inserts as requested–this guide will always remain free.

Understanding the Infant Vaccine Schedule

Why are there so many vaccines, so early?

This is one of the most common questions I hear–and it makes total sense. At first glance, the schedule for the first 18 months feels full. And fast.

But there’s a reason behind every dose, and it’s not about cramming in as much as possible. It’s about protecting babies before they’re exposed, during a time when their immune systems are still developing.

Vaccines like DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal, and rotavirus are given early because these diseases can be most severe in infancy. Before these vaccines were routine, these illnesses were a leading cause of infant hospitalization–and in some cases, death.

And the schedule isn’t just about protection. It’s about timing.

It’s designed to match the pace of a baby’s immune development–giving vaccines when the body can mount a strong, lasting response.

Some parents wonder if delaying makes sense–but delaying often means leaving babies unprotected during a critical window. Even if your child isn’t in daycare, exposure can happen at the grocery store, library, coffee shop, or at family gatherings.

The schedule is based on decades of science and research–balancing safety and effectiveness to give the best protection, right on time.

In those early months, babies aren’t just smaller versions of us. They’re more vulnerable. And that’s why the schedule exists: not to overwhelm, but to protect.

How Vaccine Safety is Studied and Monitored

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Because misinformation spreads fast–especially when fear is involved.

Vaccine misinformation is everywhere. Some of it sounds real. Some of it is full of fear. And some of it–well, it’s just flat-out made up. But when you’re a parent trying to make informed decisions, even the wildest claims can spark doubt.

One of the biggest sources of confusion online is how vaccines are tested and monitored. Some posts make it seem like vaccines just appear in pediatricians’ offices without any meaningful oversight. But that’s simply not the case. The reality is that vaccines are held to some of the highest safety standards in medicine.

Before a vaccine ever reaches your child, it goes through a multi-phase development and approval process.

It starts with research and discovery, where scientists identify the right ingredients (antigen) to train the immune system. That’s followed by pre-clinical testing, where the vaccine is studied in the lab and in animals to evaluate safety and immune response.

Then come clinical trials in humans–carried out in three phases: 

• Phase 1 tests for safety in a small group.

• Phase 2 looks at dosing and immune response in hundreds of people.

• Phase 3 includes thousands of participants to confirm safety and effectiveness across a larger population.

Once those trials are complete, the full body of data goes to the FDA. These reviews are extensive–every step of the manufacturing process is inspected, and nothing is approved unless it meets strict standards for safety, purity, and effectiveness.

And that’s just the beginning.

After a vaccine is approved, monitoring continues. Systems like VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System), the Vaccine Safety Datalink, and the Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) Project collect and investigate data from across the country–tracking even rare side effects to make sure nothing is missed.

Pediatricians are part of this process, too. We check in with families, we listen, and we report anything that seems off. If there were widespread concerns, we’d be speaking up–because our goal is the same as yours: keeping kids safe.

3 Common Myths That Still Circulate

Some vaccine myths continue to circulate–online, in parent groups, and even in everyday conversations. And while they’ve been widely studied and disproven, they still cause a lot of anxiety for parents.

Here’s what the evidence actually shows–and where you can learn more.

Myth #1: Vaccines cause SIDS

This one is especially frightening–but it’s not supported by science.

One stat that gets shared often is that “79.4% of babies who died of SIDS had just been vaccinated.” But this kind of claim misrepresents the data and creates unnecessary fear. The truth is, correlation doesn’t equal causation. The peak age for SIDS is under four months–and that also happens to be when babies receive their earliest vaccines. It’s an overlap in timing, not a sign that vaccines are to blame.

What the research actually shows is reassuring. A 2015 meta-analysis published in BMC Pediatrics reviewed multiple studies and found no increased risk of SIDS from vaccines. In fact, vaccinated infants–particularly those who received vaccines like DTaP–had a lower risk of SIDS compared to those who weren’t vaccinated.

Curious how that 79.4% stat gets taken out of context? Watch the full breakdown on PedsDocTalk YouTube video, the video covers why timing doesn’t equal causation and what the research actually says.

Myth #2: Vaccines cause Autism

It’s one of the most persistent vaccine myths out there–and even though science has definitively said no, the question keeps resurfacing.

Just recently, the CDC was pressured to re-investigate the already debunked vaccine-autism link–following lobbying from anti-vaccine groups. Moves like this don’t just waste time and resources–they undermine public trust and give oxygen to fear-based misinformation that puts children at risk.

So, where did this myth even come from? 

In 1998, British doctor Andrew Wakefield published a now-retracted study claiming a link between the MMR vaccine and autism–based on just 12 children, with manipulated data, misrepresented medical histories, and serious ethical violations. The paper was retracted, but the damage to public trust was already done.

Since then, dozens of large-scale studies have looked into this claim–and they’ve all come to the same conclusion: There is no link between vaccines and autism.

Want more context–including how celebrities, social media, and media coverage amplified this myth? Watch the full PedsDocTalk YouTube video, which breaks down the timeline, the evidence, and why reopening this question again and again does more harm than good.

Myth #3: Vaccines cause Allergies, Eczema, or Asthma

This concern often comes up because conditions like allergies, eczema, and asthma are more common now than they were decades ago. And when something becomes more prevalent, it’s natural for parents to wonder–could vaccines have something to do with it?

It’s an understandable question. But just because these health issues and vaccines both became more common in recent decades doesn’t mean one caused the other. That’s like saying every time your child has a birthday, the ice cream truck shows up. The timing is a coincidence–not a cause.

There is research shows us there is no increased risk of asthma after vaccination.

Vaccines don’t reduce microbial exposure in the way that constant use of antibacterial wipes or ultra-sterile environments might. Kids today are still exposed to plenty of microbes–through siblings, pets, daycare, and even just outdoor play.

And no, vaccines don’t “overwhelm” or weaken the immune system. They act more like a practice fire drill—helping the immune system learn how to respond to specific threats, without actually making your child sick.

Here’s something that often gets overlooked: some of the infections vaccines prevent—like RSV and whooping cough–are actually linked to a greater risk of asthma later in life. So by preventing those infections, vaccines may actually protect the immune system from overreacting down the road.

Curious where the allergy rumor started, or how ingredients like aluminum or peanut oil get pulled into the conversation? Watch the full PedsDocTalk YouTube Video, where we break down the real reason allergy rates have gone up, what the research actually says, and what to know about true allergic reactions to vaccines.

Want to dive deeper into these topics–and what’s coming next?

The PedsDocTalk YouTube channel has a growing vaccine series created to answer the questions you might still be thinking about–like what’s actually in vaccines (yes, we cover ingredients like aluminum and mercury), and how to read a vaccine insert.

If you’ve ever felt uncertain or just wanted a clearer explanation, this series is for you. It’s designed to give you honest, evidence-based answers–so you can feel confident in the choices you’re making for your child.

The Top Vaccine Questions from Parents

Even after we’ve talked about the schedule, safety, and ingredients, there are a few questions I hear often–so if you’ve been wondering any of these, you’re not alone.

Technically, yes. But it’s not recommended. Spacing out vaccines leaves babies vulnerable to disease for longer, and there’s no evidence that it’s safer. The recommended schedule is based on when the immune system can respond best–and delaying often means delaying protection.

It may feel overwhelming, but babies are born ready to respond to thousands of potential threats every day. Vaccines represent a tiny fraction of what their immune systems handle on a regular basis. Rather than weakening the immune system, vaccines actually strengthen it–teaching it how to fight off specific serious illnesses without getting sick.

Yes. Illness doesn’t only spread in large groups–exposure can happen at family gatherings, the grocery store, or the library. Vaccines are timed to protect babies before those early exposures happen.

Absolutely. Combination vaccines reduce the number of injections at each visit without sacrificing safety or effectiveness. They’ve been thoroughly studied and are commonly used to make the process easier for everyone involved–especially your baby.

It’s okay. Life happens. Your pediatrician can create a catch-up plan that doesn’t require starting over. The goal is always to move forward with protection in a safe, supported way.

Many parents ask if it’s necessary to give the HepB vaccine right after birth, especially if the mom tested negative. The short answer? It depends. If there was confirmed prenatal care and a negative HepB status, it can be reasonable to begin the series at 2 months, along with other routine vaccines. But giving it at birth is still recommended, it’s safe, offers early protection, and can help prevent transmission later on, even in low-risk situations​.

Yes. The rotavirus vaccine has a stricter age window than most others. The first dose must be given by 15 weeks of age, and the full series should be completed by 8 months. If your baby misses that window, the vaccine isn’t given–so talk with your pediatrician early if you’re unsure.

Still have questions?

Download the free PedsDocTalk Vaccine Guide for a full breakdown of each vaccine, answers to common concerns, and research-backed reassurance–so you can feel prepared.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to have all the answers right away. And you don’t need to make these decisions in fear.

Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have to protect children during the years they’re most vulnerable. But questions are part of the process–and it’s okay to pause, to ask, and find answers that help you feel more informed.

Just remember: where you get your answers matters. Look for sources that value clarity over clicks, and science over panic. And please, avoid making decisions based on a post shared by someone selling supplements in the comments.

I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve had my own questions. And what helped me most wasn’t being told what to do–it was having clear, evidence-based information from people who understood both the science and the emotions behind the decision.

On The Podcast

In this special “East Meets West” follow-up, I sit down with an inspiring pediatrician from India to explore how different cultures approach vaccines, public health, and the doctor-patient relationship.

We talk about:

• Vaccine acceptance in India vs. the U.S.

• How trust and education impact vaccine decisions

• What India’s polio success story can teach us

• The power of gratitude and connection in medicine

• Why kindness matters just as much as science

After watching the Netflix series Adolescence, I was left gutted, moved, and full of questions—just like many of you who reached out. “I watched it. I was shocked. I was moved… but now what do I do with these big feelings I’m having and this information?” Whether you’re raising a boy or a girl, this show forces us to reckon with disconnection, violence, and parenting in the digital age.

In this conversation, I sit down with Ruth Whippman and Dr. Zabina Bhasin to explore what the show reveals about masculinity, emotional disconnection, and how boys are often left emotionally starved in today’s culture. We talk about parenting, school systems, and online influences—and most importantly, how we can start doing better for our kids.

We discuss: 

• How the Netflix series Adolescence reflects the emotional isolation many boys experience—and why it’s a cultural crisis.

• How masculinity, parenting, school systems, and online influences shape how boys express (or suppress) their feelings.

• Practical, compassionate strategies to help parents, educators, and adults raise emotionally safe, connected boys in today’s world.

On YouTube

Wondering if vaccines cause allergies, eczema, or asthma? This video breaks down the science and clears up the myths—once and for all. The video covers:

• Where did this myth come from?

• What the science actually says

• Aluminum and peanut oil

• What’s behind the rise in allergies?

• What about severe allergic reactions to vaccines?

Ask Dr. Mona

An opportunity for YOU to ask Dr. Mona your parenting questions!

Dr. Mona will answer these questions in a future Sunday Morning Q&A email. Chances are if you have a parenting concern or question, another parent can relate. So let's figure this out together!