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Vaccines are held to the highest standard of safety. The United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history. Vaccines undergo a rigorous and extensive evaluation program to determine a product’s safety and effectiveness. If a vaccine does receive approval, it is continuously monitored for safety and effectiveness.
Read more about common questions related to vaccine safety, including:
Many partners work together to make sure vaccines are safe. Government health scientists work with manufacturers, health care providers, academia, and global health groups such as the World Health Organization to build a comprehensive vaccine safety system. At the Department of Health and Human Services, primarily three agencies work on vaccine safety:
Vaccines undergo rigorous and extensive testing to determine their safety and effectiveness prior to approval. Following approval, FDA carefully monitors the quality of vaccines—all manufactured lots must pass tests before they can be used. Vaccine manufacturers also must follow strict manufacturing standards, and FDA conducts routine inspections of manufacturing sites.
Scientists from FDA and CDC work closely to monitor reports of vaccine side effects (adverse events) after they are approved and used widely. FDA and CDC take all reports seriously, and work together to evaluate and address any potential problems.
Get The Picture: Childhood Immunizations
Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Running Time: (6:27) Release Date: 4/13/2009
After talking with parents across the country, CDC put together this short video to help answer the tough questions that real moms had about childhood immunizations. Understanding the importance of vaccines is crucial for you to protect your children’s health. Read the script
Vaccines, like any medication, may cause side effects. If you think that you or your child does have a serious reaction, first contact your doctor or other health care provider. Then, if you would like to learn more, read about the two programs below—VAERS and the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Most people will never need these programs, but they are there if you do.