Vaccine Safety and Adverse Events

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2009), vaccines work best when most members of a community are vaccinated - the more people who are vaccinated, the lower the possible risk of anyone's exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases. Because vaccines must be safe for use by as many people as possible, vaccines are developed in accordance with the highest standards of safety. Years of testing are required by law before a vaccine is licensed and distributed. Once in use, vaccines are continually monitored for safety and efficacy. As a result, the United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history.

However, as with any medical procedure, vaccination has some risks as well as substantial, proven benefits. Individuals react differently to vaccines, and there is no way to absolutely predict the reaction of a specific individual to a particular vaccine. Anyone who takes a vaccine should be fully informed about both the benefits and the risks of vaccination. Any questions or concerns should be discussed with a physician or other healthcare provider.

Resource
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Navigation for the Vaccines and Immunizations Website

Vaccine-Related Topics

* Immunization Schedules

* Childhood Schedule
* Adolescent Schedule
* Adult Schedule

* Recommendations and Guidelines

* Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
* Vaccine Storage & Handling
* Vaccine Administration
* Recalled Vaccines
* Reminder Systems and Strategies for Increasing Vaccination Rates

* Vaccines & Preventable Diseases

* Vaccine Shortages & Delays
* Potential New Vaccines
* FAQ about Vaccines & Diseases they Prevent

* Basics and Common Questions

* Immunization: Why is it Important?
* Immunization: The Basics
* Common Questions

* Vaccination Records

* Vaccine Safety and Adverse Events

* Concerns about the Safety of Vaccines
* Reporting Side-effects
* Vaccine Safety Overview
* Vaccine Safety Research
* Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) Project

* For Travelers

* For Specific Groups of People

* Adults
* American Indian / Alaska Native
* Children (2-10 yrs old)
* College Students and Young Adults
* Healthcare Workers
* Infants and Toddlers
* International Adoptions
* Kid-Friendly Sites
* Parents
* People with Specific Diseases/Conditions
* Pre-teens and Adolescents
* Pregnant Women
* Providers
* Racial & Ethnic Populations
* Spanish-speaking

* For Program Managers


Additional Resources

* Publications

* Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
* Textbooks, Manuals and Guidelines
* Flyers and Brochures
* Posters
* Videos, Broadcasts, Webcasts, PSAs and Podcasts
* Recommendations and Reports
* Stickers, Buttons, CDs, etc.
* More Sources of Publications

* News and Media Resources

* News
* Newsletters
* For the Media

* Calendars and Events

* Meetings & Conferences
* Nat'l Imz Conference (NIC)
* Nat'l Infant Imz Week (NIIW)
* Nat'l Imz Awareness Month (NIAM)
* National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW)
* Polio Vaccine - 50th Anniversary

* Education and Training

* Webcasts
* NetConferences
* Materials and Updates
* Patient Education
* Curricular Materials
* On-Site Training
* Self Study
* Podcasts

* Programs and Tools

* Immunization Registries (IIS)
* Vaccines for Children (VFC)
* Stop Transmission of Polio (STOP)
* Vaccine Management Business Improvement Project (VMBIP)
* Global Immunizations & Vaccinations
* Immunization Program Evaluation (IPE)
* Assessment, Feedback, Incentives, and Exchange (AFIX)
* Comprehensive Clinic Assessment Software Application (CoCASA)
* Vaccine Management System (VACMAN)
* Instant Childhood Immunization Scheduler
* Adolescent and Adult Vaccine Quiz

* Statistics and Surveillance

* Data Definitions / Glossary
* Immunization Coverage in the U.S.
* National Immunization Survey (NIS)
* School and Childcare Vaccination Surveys
* Surveillance Worksheets
* Surveillance-related Articles
* Surveillance-related Websites

* Links to Related Sites

* About NCIRD

Contact CDC

* For immunization information, call the CDC-INFO Contact Center at:

English and Spanish
(800) CDC-INFO
(800) 232-4636
TTY: (888) 232-6348
FAX: (770) 488-4760


* Contact info:
Vaccines Questions
Vaccines Webmaster


* International Travel:
Phone: 1-877-394-8747
Travel web site

* Email this page
* Printer-friendly version

* Help
* Glossary / Acronyms
* Site Map

Quick Links

* Immunization Safety Office

*

Related Pages
o Vaccine Additives
o Vaccine recalls

National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Vaccine Safety and Adverse Events, http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/, 12/10/2009.