There are few more divisive issues in medicine today than the topic of vaccines. Until COVID-19, most Americans were glad to have their children vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, RSV, rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, varicella and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B).

Adults were happy to avoid tetanus (lockjaw) by getting a Tdap booster shot every 10 years. It also protected against diphtheria and pertussis. Many people also preferred a flu vaccine to catching influenza, even if the jab was not perfect protection. Other vaccines older people often chose included RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) pneumonia and shingles.

Everything changed after COVID-19. That was partly because the vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 did not work as well as most people initially expected. The early hype suggested they would be highly effective at preventing infection. Yet many people who got a COVID-19 shot still came down with the coronavirus. Although there is evidence that the vaccines saved lives, an anti-vax sentiment swept the nation.

When it comes to vaccines, messages from readers of this column have been some of the most emotional we have ever received. COVID-19 shots have initiated the most anger. One reader wrote:

“If we are to get vaccines, the government shouldn’t have lied to us about COVID-19 or COVID-19 shots. I don’t have any faith in the CDC, FDA or WHO.”

Another reader thinks that the flu shot causes influenza: “I read a study that showed during the 2024-25 flu season in Ohio, the flu vaccine made you 27% more likely to catch influenza.”

The opposite perspective is presented by this mother: “I will take any and all protection offered by vaccines. I haven’t had the flu since taking the shot annually for the past 25+ years, but I’ve seen others who refuse the vaccine, arguing it is ineffective. Then they complain when kids are sick at home with the flu.”

Another mother adds: “As a child, I had measles, mumps, chicken pox, meningitis and polio. My sister had polio at the same time. My father’s business partner’s son died and the boy across the street was badly crippled.

“My children were fully vaccinated and only had chicken pox because that vaccine was not yet available. Even if you survive, so much illness is terribly disruptive in a family and there could be devastating complications.”

This man takes a different perspective: “For many people, refusing vaccines is a result of becoming educated on just how harmful vaccines really are. Quit relying on experts that have a vested interest in promoting vaccines.”

A daughter shared that she refuses vaccines: “My mother had her first ALS symptom a few days after receiving a flu shot in 1999. She died at age 67. I blame the flu shot for her ALS.”

Finally, one reader offers this thoughtful overview: “What I see in these comments, more than anything, is insensitivity — from the young toward seniors, from the healthy toward the ailing, from those who reject the vaccine to those who think it has saved them. Why not just accept that the vaccine saved some lives and whoever wants it should get it? Those who are sick did not necessarily fail to take care of their bodies. Let each person care for themselves however they wish.”

We agree that more compassion would be welcome.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 300 W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”