Myths and Facts around vaccination
Vaccinations are one of the most important contributions to public health and have helped the human civilization battle epidemic and endemic diseases. Smallpox and measles are two primary examples of diseases that took away the lives of millions until vaccination was introduced. Since then society has achieved total eradication of smallpox and brought the spread of measles under control through vaccination alone. Polio, which was widely prevalent is India, is a more recent example of a disease that has been brought under control through vaccination and is on its way to extinction.
While there is a long way to go and research is underway to examine the scope of vaccination to halt major diseases of today like cancer and AIDs, childhood and adult vaccinations to prevent diseases such as Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Influenza, Chickenpox, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, among many others are widely used today.
Myth #1: Giving my child a vaccination will make them fall ill
Fact: A vaccination contains a very washed down, dilute or inactive strain of the disease causing virus. The purpose of the vaccine is to nudge the child’s immune system into producing the antibodies required to defend the body against the virus. Sometimes the child may develop a reaction from the body such as a mild fever but this is temporary and a normal reaction. The virus is not strong enough to cause a full blown disease in the person.
Myth #2: My child will develop immunity through natural methods
Fact: Building one’s immune system comprises of many other factors such as genetic make-up, healthy diet, active lifestyle, good living environment, etc and vaccinations form a part of this system. Vaccinations will help your child build immunity against some of the more common and dangerous strains of viruses prevalent today. This is not to say that your child will not be able to produce antibodies to fight the disease should it strike them some day.
Myth #3: My child will be able to battle the disease when it comes
Fact: Vaccinations are just a way to safeguard oneself from the virus and prevent having to endure the trauma and pain of battling the disease. A child who has had a chickenpox vaccine has far less risk of contracting chickenpox and going through the entire course of the disease (sometimes the child has to miss out a significant portion of their developmental period to heal from chickenpox, for eg missing a year of school) that a child who hasn’t.
Myth #4: There is no danger from these diseases anymore
Fact: Vaccination has the potential to completely eradicate a disease as in the example of small-pox. Once the disease is completely eradicated and this has been recognized globally, only then is it advisable to ignore a vaccine. Until then, it is the responsibility of society at large to help prevent the disease’s progression onto the next generation. Vaccination is an extremely effective way of doing this.
Myth #5: I don’t need a vaccination once I have grown up
Fact: Although many adults avoid vaccinations, it is advisable to go for regular follow ups or booster shots for tetanus, diphtheria, Hepatitis, meningitis etc. Depending on situations, age, health status etc, certain vaccines are recommended. For example, it is mandatory for people travelling to a place like Africa to take a shot for yellow fever or to take TB, typhoid shots before travelling to European countries etc. Older people are advised to take a pneumococcal vaccine as they are prone to developing pneumonia beyond the age of 60.
Sometimes people are not entirely aware of vaccinations and do not completely trust the benefits, however rest assured that all vaccinations recommended by doctors today, particularly for the newborn infant are well-tested for safety and efficacy through medical trials and testing before it is introduced to the market.
Authored by Dr. Brunda M S, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital
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Trump arrives in China for talks with Xi
Beijing (PTI): US President Donald Trump arrived in China on Wednesday for a three-day state visit during which he will discuss a host of global issues, including the Iran war, with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump, who is visiting China at the invitation of President Xi, was received by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng at the airport.
The leaders of the world's two largest economies will hold their seventh face-to-face talks. They last met face-to-face in October 2025 in Busan, South Korea.
The US President arrived in China on his second visit in nine years to clinch a trade deal, to end the frictions over tariffs that affected its over USD 525 billion exports to the US.
Trump, who is accompanied by top CEOs, was the last US president to visit China in 2017, during his first term.
President Trump would have a bilateral meeting with Xi on Thursday, US Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said on Sunday.
The two leaders will meet again on Friday for a bilateral tea and working lunch, she said, adding that the US plans to host the Chinese leader for a reciprocal visit later this year.
Ahead of Trump's arrival, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and Scott Bessent completed the final round of trade negotiations in South Korea, details of which are not known.
The talks focused on trade and tariffs, Artificial Intelligence and technology, Taiwan and US' arms sales to Taipei, Iran and West Asia security and rare earths and supply chains.
Trump's schedule included a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a complex of imperial temples where emperors would pray for a good harvest.
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Ahead of his departure for Beijing, Trump told the media in Washington he would be talking with Xi about trade more than anything else.
He plans to sign more deals with China to buy more American food and aircraft. The two countries also plan to set up a Board of Trade with China to address differences between the countries.
From a trade point of view, China looks to reap a rich harvest as Trump is accompanied by top CEOs of US multinational giants, including Tesla chief Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook, who have well-entrenched business in China.
Apple has regained the top spot in China's competitive smartphone market as of early 2026, driven by a 28 per cent surge in iPhone shipments.
In April, Tesla's China-made vehicle sales (including exports) reached 79,478, a 36 per cent year-over-year increase, signalling a production rebound.
The top US business leaders will be allowed to mingle with their Chinese counterparts at an exclusive international business club, according to Chinese officials.
The global focus on the summit, however, would be on any possible outcome that could end the US-Israeli-Iran war and end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Ahead of Trump's visit, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made his first visit to Beijing after the war and held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
The US watched his visit closely as China is the largest importer of Iranian oil and shares strategic defence ties with Tehran, and has considerable influence over Iran.
After talks with Araghchi, Wang called on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible, even as it appreciated Tehran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, a prime demand of Trump to end the war.
Commenting on Wang-Araghchi talks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "I hope the Chinese tell him what he needs to be told. And that is what you are doing in the Strait, which is causing you to be globally isolated. You're the bad guy in this."
China's anxieties over the Gulf war increased, especially after Trump imposed a blockade of Iranian ports, restricting Iran's oil exports to China.
Bert Hoffman, former World Bank country director for China, said China wants the Iran war to end because it has many partners in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait. "So they don't like to see wars, they like to have stability," he said.
In its editorial on Trump's visit, state-run Global Times said Xi has held multiple telephone conversations and meetings with him, which have helped correct the course of the bilateral relationship and steer it clear of hidden dangers at critical moments.
For China-US relations to truly stabilise and improve in the future, the most fundamental step is to fully and faithfully implement the important consensus reached by both leaders, it said.
From China's point of view, the Taiwan issue was expected to figure prominently in the talks.
Last week, China's Foreign Minister Wang told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during their telephone talks, that the US should make the right choice about the self-ruled Taiwan.
China claims Taiwan as part of its own and has been ramping up military pressure on the island with periodic military drills around the island.
VIDEO | Beijing: US President Donald Trump arrives in China for high stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 13, 2026
(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/ceEJGDipbm
