HHS Declares War on Misinformation with the Groundbreaking ‘Let’s Get Real’ Campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched an ambitious and hard-hitting initiative designed to counteract misinformation and empower parents with the truth about childhood vaccines. Dubbed the “Let’s Get Real” campaign, this effort aims to cut through the noise of skepticism and fear, providing parents with reliable information to make informed decisions about vaccinating their children.

Vaccines have long been regarded as one of modern medicine’s most powerful tools in the fight against deadly and debilitating diseases. Yet, in an age inundated with misleading narratives, parental skepticism is on the rise—a worrisome trend that risks erasing decades of disease prevention progress.

“Vaccines are powerful tools in keeping our children safe and healthy,” said Admiral Rachel L. Levine, HHS Assistant Secretary for Health. “They are so successful that most parents rely on them. But this success also means that many parents have never seen some of the diseases that vaccines prevent. We need to make sure conversations about vaccines are balanced and factual to ensure our children get the best protection as they grow up.”

What’s at Stake

The timing of this campaign couldn’t be more critical. Protecting children from diseases like polio, whooping cough, and measles could once be taken for granted—but now, in an era of declining vaccine confidence, diseases long thought eradicated may be poised for a comeback.

Consider measles, the poster child for the catastrophic consequences of falling immunization rates. Before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, the U.S.’s yearly toll was staggering—up to 4 million infections, 48,000 hospitalizations, and 400-500 deaths. Widespread vaccination campaigns slashed those numbers to near zero. But today, we’re seeing outbreaks that shouldn’t be happening. Already this year, there have been 283 reported measles cases across the U.S., and numbers like these foreshadow public health emergencies if vaccination rates continue to drop.

This dangerous trend is reflected in schools. According to the CDC, the percentage of kindergartners with vaccine exemptions has hit 3.3%—the highest on record. Equally concerning, the number of states reporting vaccination rates below 90% for kindergarten entry ballooned from three in 2019-2020 to 14 in the 2023-2024 school year.

“Parents have heard so much misinformation. Many of them are overwhelmed. That’s why I’m excited to share ‘Let’s Get Real,’” said Kaye Hayes, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Infectious Disease. “This campaign uses a research-informed approach to support parents, vaccine champions, and health care providers in getting real about childhood vaccines.”

Why It Matters

The success of vaccines has been a double-edged sword. While diseases previously maiming or killing thousands in the U.S. have become exceedingly rare, that very success has left many parents without firsthand experience of their devastating effects. For example, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)—a disease that once caused severe brain and lung infections—is now nearly unseen, with cases plummeting by more than 99% since 1987 thanks to vaccines.

However, HHS officials warn against complacency. They stress that diseases like Hib, polio, and measles exist just outside the community immunity barriers vaccines create. As the barriers weaken, these diseases threaten to surge back, bringing preventable suffering in their wake.

A Campaign for the People

At its core, “Let’s Get Real” is a battle against vaccine misinformation—a challenge that has become as urgent as the diseases the program seeks to prevent. Through its streamlined approach, the campaign provides parents with verifiable facts, real-life stories from doctors and families, and tools to foster productive conversations.

One essential aspect of the campaign is its emphasis on tailored messaging. It recognizes the nuanced concerns parents may have, offering them balanced—and most importantly, factual—information about the benefits and risks associated with vaccines. This isn’t just a public health push; it’s an awareness movement for skeptical and supportive parents alike.

The “Let’s Get Real” website houses a comprehensive array of content, from shareable infographics to compelling videos. These assets are designed not only for parents but also for health care providers and community leaders who partner in the fight to protect children from preventable illness.

Turning the Tide

Amid our country’s polarized climate on medical decisions, the “Let’s Get Real” campaign challenges us all to return to science, facts, and trust. This is about saving lives—starting with our youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

Vaccines are not just a personal choice; they represent a pact with society to protect those who are too young or medically fragile to be immunized. If confidence continues to crumble, the consequences will extend far beyond those who choose to skip vaccines. Entire communities will feel the ripple effects.

HHS’s campaign aims to stop this decline and rekindle the understanding that vaccines are one of humanity’s greatest public health achievements. This isn’t just a campaign—it’s a message to future generations that they deserve a world free from the shadows of preventable diseases.

For every parent worried about their child’s health, for every hesitant family inundated with “what ifs,” HHS delivers this call to action—it’s time to get real about vaccines.