Vaccine Safety
All vaccines have to be tested to make sure they are both safe and effective. Vaccines, like any medication, can cause side effects. But for most, they are safe and effective. The most common side effects of vaccines are mild pain, swelling and redness where the shot was given. Serious side effects from immunizations are extremely rare.
Although vaccines save thousands of lives each year, concerns about their safety continue. While no medicine or vaccine is without risk, the benefits far outweigh the risks. A decision not to immunize a child puts both the child and others who come into contact with him or her at risk of contracting a preventable disease that could be dangerous or deadly.
Vaccine Safety Overview
- Vaccine Safety - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
- The Childhood Immunization Schedule: Why Is It Like That? - American Academy of Pediatrics
- Questions and Answers about Vaccine Ingredients – American Academy of Pediatrics
Reporting Side-effects
Vaccine Safety Concerns
- Get The Picture: Childhood Immunizations - CDC Video: Running Time: (6:27)
After talking with parents across the country, CDC put together this short video to help answer the tough questions that real moms have about childhood immunizations. Understanding the importance of vaccines is crucial for you to protect your children's health. - Vaccine Safety Concerns – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
- Vaccines and Autism: Important Statement from the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the February 2009 decisions of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- Dr. Paul Offit Vaccine Presentation - Albany.edu
- "Clear Answers & Smart Advice About Your Baby's Shots", Ari Brown, MD, FAAP, Acquired from Immunization Action Coalition 2.09
- "The Problem With Dr Bob's Alternative Vaccine Schedule", Paul A. Offit and Charlotte A. Moser; Pediatrics 2009;123;e164-e169 - American Academy of Pediatrics
- Cause or Coincidence - National Network for Immunization Information
- Evaluating Information About Vaccines on the Internet - National Network for Immunization Information
- Immunization Issues: Vaccine Misinformation - National Network for Immunization Information
- Six Common Misconceptions About Vaccination - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Thimerosal in Vaccines - U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Thimerosal in Vaccines Timeline (1999-2008) - The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
- Mercury and Vaccine (Thimerosal) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Information about the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Vaccine Safety Research
- Vaccine Safety Research - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention