In partnership with NHS
From experience giving childhood immunisations, most parents who delay or decline the MMR vaccine aren’t “anti-vaccine” at all. They’re usually thoughtful, cautious parents trying to do the right thing. The most common concerns tend to fall into a few themes:
Worries about safety and side effects
This is by far the most common reason. Parents often worry about:
- Autism (because of outdated, incorrect information)
- Long-term or unknown side effects
- Giving “too many vaccines at once”
Our advice:
We explain that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been used for over 30 years and studied in millions of children worldwide. Large, high-quality studies have found no link with autism or developmental problems. Most side effects are mild and short-lived and can be managed at home with over-the-counter medicines like Calpol. Serious reactions can occur, but these are extremely rare. I also explain that children’s immune systems cope with far more challenges every day than what’s in a vaccine.
Feeling the diseases aren’t a real risk anymore
Some parents haven’t seen measles, mumps or rubella and assume they’re mild or “gone”.
Our advice:
We explain that diseases like measles are now rare because vaccination works so well. When vaccination rates are high, the virus struggles to spread. However, when uptake drops, even by a relatively small amount, outbreaks return very quickly, which is exactly what we’re seeing again right now in parts of the UK and Europe. Measles is not a mild illness. It is one of the most contagious viruses we know, and even healthy children can become very unwell. Complications include pneumonia, which is a common reason for hospital admission, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), which can cause long-term neurological problems, and, in rare cases, death. Many children also require hospital care for dehydration, breathing difficulties, or severe fever.
Vaccination doesn’t just protect the individual child, it helps prevent outbreaks altogether, protecting babies who are too young to be vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems.
Preference for “natural immunity”
Some parents feel it’s better for children to catch illnesses naturally.
Our advice:
We acknowledge that many parents want to support their child’s immune system in the most natural way possible and this usually comes from a place of wanting to protect their child, not avoiding care. We explain that while natural infection can lead to immunity, it also exposes a child to the full risks of the disease itself. With measles, those risks include high fever, severe illness, pneumonia, brain inflammation, hospitalisation, and in rare cases long-term harm or death.
Vaccines work by safely training the immune system to recognise and fight an infection without the child having to become seriously ill. They stimulate immunity in a controlled way, avoiding the unpredictable and sometimes severe complications that can occur with natural infection.
In the case of measles, there is no added health benefit to catching the illness naturally, but there is a clear and well-established risk. For that reason, the balance of evidence shows that vaccination offers the safest way to gain protection, while natural infection carries far greater and unnecessary risk.
Wanting to delay until the child is “older or stronger”
This often comes from a place of protectiveness rather than opposition.
Our advice:
We explain that the timing of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine isn’t random, it’s carefully chosen to protect children when they are most at risk. Measles is most dangerous in young children, particularly under-fives, where the risk of complications such as pneumonia, severe dehydration, and hospitalisation is highest. Delaying vaccination leaves children unprotected during this vulnerable period, especially at a time when measles outbreaks are increasing.
We also reassure parents that the vaccination schedule is based on extensive research into both safety and effectiveness. The vaccine is offered at the age when a child’s immune system responds well to it, while also ensuring protection as early as possible. The schedule has been designed and reviewed by experts using large-scale evidence, and it continues to be monitored to make sure it remains safe and effective.
Parents often find reassurance in knowing that the schedule is there to offer the best balance of early protection and safety, rather than being about convenience or rushing vaccinations.
Mistrust or feeling pressured
Some parents feel they weren’t listened to or were rushed previously.
Our advice:
We take the time to listen properly, acknowledge concerns, and answer questions calmly makes a huge difference. Many parents aren’t looking to be persuaded; they’re looking to be heard and understood. We find that when concerns are met with patience rather than pressure, parents are more able to absorb information and feel confident in their decisions.
Parents are far more likely to feel reassured when they don’t feel judged, dismissed, or rushed. We aim to creating a space where questions are welcomed, including difficult or repeated ones, helps build trust. That trust often becomes the foundation for informed decision-making, whether that leads to vaccination immediately or after further reflection.
Ultimately, most parents are simply seeking reassurance rather than persuasion. When their concerns are listened to, taken seriously, and answered honestly, including discussing both benefits and risks, many families feel able to move forward with confidence. For some, that decision is made straight away; for others, it comes after time to think and ask more questions. Both are valid. What matters most is that parents feel informed, supported, and respected as they make decisions for their child.
For further information, you could have a look at some of the following: