A growing number of parents are reluctant to have their children immunized because of fears the vaccines may cause health problems.

• FROM Jan. 23, 2002: Vaccine wiping out rubella: researchers
   

Studies show at least one-third of Canadians don't know what a vaccine is and why children should get their shots.

Anti-vaccine groups and Web sites have popped up. They say vaccines are inherently dangerous and can cause asthma, autism and learning disabilities.

Many parents fear the MMR (measles mumps rubella) vaccine could be linked to autism — a developmental disease.

"Vaccines are incredibly safe products that prevent terrible disease," says Dr. Monika Naus of the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. "Why would we be trying to give children something that's actually going to do more harm than good?"

• FROM Oct. 2, 2001: Lawyers sue over mercury in vaccine
   

A vaccine gives a small does of a disease to trigger the immune system, but not enough to bring on the illness that goes with it.

But anti-vaccine groups say there isn't enough information for consumers. They say that's especially true of new vaccines.

But vaccine advocates say there's plenty of information, it just depends on where people are getting it.

• FROM Dec. 4, 2000: Canadian medical community battling 'vaccine myth'
   

"We need to respond to those individuals and meet their needs so they no longer hold those misconceptions," says Dr. Robert Pless of Health Canada.

Healthcare workers haven't been clearing up misconceptions because they say they don't have the time or access to information they need to answer patients' questions.

"Efforts to provide ongoing education, particularly for nurses is sometimes a bit hit and miss," says Tara Mawhinney of Manitoba Health.

Healthcare professionals meeting at a national immunization conference say hotlines should be set up for patients and professionals. They say dangerous misinformation is being spread over the Internet.