08/02/2026
There’s been a lot of kōrero about vaccines and “toxins”.
Let’s take a moment to look at what’s actually in them. 🧐
❌ Pūrākau (Myth):
Vaccines are full of harmful chemicals.
✅ Pono (Truth):
Vaccines do not contain toxic chemicals or harmful cells. The ingredients used are in very small, safe amounts, and many are already found in our tinana, kai, and te taiao.
🔹 Formaldehyde
Our tinana makes formaldehyde naturally every day. It helps build DNA.
👉 A single pear has around 60 times more formaldehyde than a vaccine.
🔹 Polysorbate 80
This ingredient is also used in kai, like ice cream.
🔹 Aluminium
Aluminium is the most common metal on Earth. We’re exposed to it daily through kai and water.
👉 The tiny amount used in some vaccines helps the immune system work better and has been used safely for over 80 years.
💡 It’s the amount that matters.
Small amounts can be safe and useful — even when the name sounds scary.
Vaccines are carefully tested and monitored to make sure the ingredients are safe for our pēpi and tamariki. They don’t contain extra viruses or harmful cells.
This kōrero isn’t about telling whānau what to do — it’s about sharing clear, honest information, so decisions can be made with confidence. ❣️
