Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          Enter the terms you wish to search for.
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations                  
Immunization
  Vaccine Basics
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vaccines by Disease
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Who and When
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Get Vaccinated
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Get Involved
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      About Us

              

    



Breadcrumb
    HHS
                              Immunization Information for You and Your Loved Ones
                              Vaccine Basics


    

    

    Navigate to:
  Immunization Highlights
    
                                                  
                                                                                        
                          
      
      
      
      Vaccine Basics
                                            
            
            Vaccine Ingredients
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccine Safety
                          
            
            Vaccine Side Effects
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Vaccine Types
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccines Work
                          
            
            Vaccines Protect You
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Vaccines Protect Your Community
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccines by Disease
                                            
            
            Chickenpox (Varicella)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Cholera
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      COVID-19
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Diphtheria
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Flu (Influenza)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hepatitis A
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hepatitis B
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Measles
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Meningococcal
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Mpox (Formerly Monkeypox)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Mumps
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Pneumococcal
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Polio
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rabies
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rotavirus
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rubella (German Measles)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Tetanus (Lockjaw)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Typhoid Fever
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Yellow Fever
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Who and When
                                            
            
            Infants, Children, and Teens
                          
            
            Infants and Children Birth Through Age 6
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Preteens and Teens Ages 7 Through 18
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Adults
                          
            
            Adults Ages 19 Through 26
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Adults Ages 27 Through 64
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Adults Age 65 and Older
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Pregnant Women
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Travelers
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      People with Health Conditions
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Health Care Workers
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Gay or Bisexual Men
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Military Members
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Get Vaccinated
                                            
            
            How to Pay
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      What to Expect - for Adults
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      What to Expect - for Parents
                          
            
            Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Where to Go
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Get Involved
                                            
            
            Explore Vaccination in Your Community
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Spread the Word!
                          
            
            Graphics
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Widgets and Web Badges
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Toolkits
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Get More Information
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      About UsLanguages
      English
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Español (Spanish)Text resize icon

                    




Vaccine Basics








  
  
    

  
      



Vaccines play an important role in keeping us healthy. They protect us from serious and sometimes deadly diseases — like *haemophilus* ** *influenzae* type b (Hib) and measles.

It’s normal to have questions about vaccines. Vaccines.gov works with scientists and doctors to answer your questions and provide the information you need to get vaccinated.

In this section of the site, you’ll find the answers to common questions like:

Are vaccines safe?
	How do vaccines work?
	What are the different types of vaccines?
	What’s in vaccines?Once you have the information you need, make sure that you and your family are up-to-date on your vaccinations — they’re your best shot against serious, preventable illness.

Watch Tell Me More: Immunization video
	Find more answers to common questions about vaccinesA few helpful terms

As you learn about vaccines and how they protect you, it may be helpful to understand the difference between vaccines, vaccinations, and immunizations.

**Vaccine**

A **vaccine** is made from very small amounts of weak or dead germs that can cause diseases — for example, viruses, bacteria, or toxins. It prepares your body to fight the disease faster and more effectively so you won’t get sick.

**Example:** Children younger than age 13 need 2 doses of the chickenpox **vaccine**.

**Vaccination**

**Vaccination** is the act of getting a vaccine, usually as a shot.

**Example:** Schedule your tetanus **vaccination** today.

**Immunization**

**Immunization** is the process of becoming immune to (protected against) a disease.

**Example:** Because of continued and widespread **immunization** in the United States, it’s rare for Americans to get polio.

Immunization can also mean the process of getting vaccinated. For example, your “immunization schedule,” is the timing of your shots.

                    
  


Get Immunized

Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines and preventive antibodies are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.

Find out how to get protected.







  Want to learn about the journey of your child’s vaccine?

See how vaccines are developed, approved, and monitored.







  Content created by Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) Content last reviewed November 9, 2022Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​