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Staying healthy is something we all work toward for ourselves, our families, and our communities. One of the safest and most effective ways to protect against serious illness is staying up to date on recommended vaccinations.
Vaccines help prepare the body to recognize and fight diseases before they can cause serious harm. They work with the body’s natural defenses by introducing a small amount of an antigen — a part of a germ that helps the immune system learn what to fight — so the body can build protection without having to experience the full illness.
For babies and children, vaccines are especially important because their immune systems are still developing. Every day, children are exposed to thousands of germs through the air they breathe, the food they eat, and the things they touch. While their bodies can fight many germs on their own, some infections can cause serious illness or even be life-threatening. Vaccines provide an extra layer of protection when children need it most.
Vaccines Help Protect Every Generation
Vaccination is not only about individual health. It is about protecting the people around us.
When enough people in a community are vaccinated, diseases have a harder time spreading from person to person. This is known as herd immunity. It helps protect those who may not be able to receive certain vaccines, including some infants, elders, and people with weakened immune systems.
Throughout history, vaccines have helped communities reduce or eliminate dangerous diseases such as smallpox, polio, measles, rubella, and diphtheria. These achievements show what is possible when communities work together to protect one another.
We are all connected. When we protect ourselves, we help protect our families, our neighbors, and future generations.
Vaccines Help Prevent Serious Illness
Getting vaccinated is better than getting sick.
Many vaccine-preventable diseases can lead to complications, hospitalizations, or long-term health impacts. This is especially true for older adults, who face increased risks from respiratory illnesses such as influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal disease.
Keeping recommended vaccines up to date throughout life helps protect people at every age, from infants taking their first vaccines to elders continuing to strengthen their protection.
How Worried Should I Be about Aluminum in Vaccines?
Scientific research has shown that the amount of aluminum exposure in people who follow vaccine recommendations is low, and that the body does not readily absorb what a person being vaccinated has been exposed to.
Aluminum-containing adjuvants have been used safely in vaccines for more than 70 years. (An adjuvant is an ingredient used in some vaccines to help create a stronger immune response so that the vaccine is more effective in protecting someone from the disease they are being vaccinated against.)
In all cases, vaccines containing adjuvants are tested for safety and effectiveness in clinical trials before they are licensed for use in the United States, and these vaccines are continuously monitored by CDC and FDA once they are approved.
You can learn more about adjuvants and aluminum-containing adjuvants from the CDC.
Learn More About Vaccines
Reliable information helps us make informed decisions about our health. Talk with your healthcare provider about recommended vaccines for you and your family.
Additional vaccine education resources are available through:
Vaccines are one of the greatest tools we have to prevent disease and keep our communities healthy. By choosing vaccination, we help create healthier communities today and protect generations to come.
Generations connected. Communities protected.
