What did I know? My mother simply told us we were going into town, and that each of us would get a sugar cube (and, if we were lucky, a Carvel soft ice cream cone on the way home).
The polio vaccine sugar cube was a widely used method in the 1960s to administer Dr. Albert Sabin’s oral polio vaccine—a convenient, child-friendly alternative to injections. A drop of the live-attenuated vaccine was placed on a sugar cube and handed out to children, a simple act that helped eradicate polio in the United States. There were no discussions, no negotiations—we were all going. What did I know?
I have written before about the efficacy of vaccines, both in this newspaper and in my Association’s newsletter. As I began drafting this piece, I paused and asked myself, “What exactly is a vaccine—and how would I explain it simply?”
So I did what most of us now do—I asked Google. The response: “A vaccine is a safe, effective tool that teaches your immune system to recognize and fight specific harmful germs (viruses or bacteria) without causing the disease itself.” By introducing weakened, inactivated, or partial components of a pathogen—or instructions to make them—vaccines trigger antibody production and create lasting immunity, significantly reducing the risk of illness. What did I know?
Why does this matter? Because I recently came across an article in the April 1, 2026 edition of Neurology titled, “Risk of Alzheimer Dementia After High-Dose vs Standard-Dose Influenza Vaccination.” The takeaway is striking: the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease may be significantly lower among those receiving the high-dose influenza vaccine, based on a study of more than 200,000 older adults. As a former economic researcher, this study is an indication only as many other independent variables were not controlled for as to cause and effect.
Let me get this straight—not only am I protecting myself from influenza (which could hospitalize me, or worse), but I may also be reducing my risk of Alzheimer’s disease? Another potential benefit from something I already do every year. What did I know?
And yet, despite these advances, there is a growing number of individuals who will never realize these benefits. The internet has given us unprecedented access to information—an extraordinary tool. But access does not equal accuracy. The responsibility to distinguish credible science from misinformation rests with each of us.
To be clear, vaccines—like any medical intervention—are not entirely without risk. Neither is taking an aspirin. Certain contraindications exist, particularly for individuals with specific health conditions that may increase the likelihood of an adverse reaction. For example, rare allergic responses such as anaphylaxis can occur, which is why monitoring after initial vaccination is standard practice.
Individuals with compromised immune systems must also exercise caution. Live, attenuated vaccines—such as MMR, varicella, or the nasal spray influenza vaccine—may not be appropriate. I recall a close friend with a severely weakened immune system who, while ill, received a shingles vaccine and subsequently developed shingles. A stark reminder that medical decisions are not one-size-fits-all.
I also remember my mother watching over me after each vaccination. That vigilance wasn’t fear—it was good practice.
Importantly, extensive scientific research has debunked many commonly cited reasons for avoiding vaccines. Claims linking vaccines to autism have been thoroughly disproven. Concerns about “overwhelming” the immune system do not hold up under scrutiny; modern vaccines contain fewer antigens than earlier versions, and children are exposed to far more antigens in everyday environments, such as school.
Yes, our bodies can react—mild cold-like symptoms, low-grade fevers, or the occasional ear infection. But when weighed against the risks of the diseases these vaccines prevent, those reactions are, for most, a reasonable trade-off.
What did I know then? Very little. What do we know now? A great deal. Vaccines represent one of the most effective, evidence-based tools in modern medicine—protecting not only against immediate illness but, increasingly, offering broader long-term health benefits. From a sugar cube in a small town to advanced immunizations informed by large-scale research, the science has evolved. The responsibility, however, remains the same: to understand it, to trust credible evidence, and to act accordingly—for ourselves, and for the communities we serve.
As I always say, “Ask your physician and give Dr. Google a rest!”
