Basics and Common Questions
Six Things You Need to Know about Vaccines
Vaccines protect you and your family. Review six things you need to know about vaccines so you and your doctor can be sure everyone is protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Both parents and providers seek information about why immunizing is so important to the individual, community, and worldwide.
- Why Immunize?
- How Vaccines Prevent Diseases
Includes illustrations to help you better understand how vaccines protect children from diseases. - Understanding How Vaccines Work pdf icon[2 pages]
Explains how the immune system responds to vaccines to build immunity. - The Importance of Childhood Immunizations
- Parents: What You Need to Know
Information explaining the basics about immunizations and vaccinations can be found here.
Answers to common and frequently asked questions about vaccinating, the creditability of information on the Internet, etc.
Page last reviewed: July 12, 2018
Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases