We were formed by clinicians and researchers, so we know the facts. Background Immunizations are one of the most important ways parents can protect their children against serious infectious diseases. Before widespread immunization, common childhood diseases such as polio, measles, and Hib meningitis caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries every year. With the advent of vaccines, these deaths have been nearly eliminated in the United States. Immunizations are extremely safe, thanks to advancements in medical research and ongoing review by doctors, researchers, and public health officials.
Vaccines undergo rigorous testing before they are ever approved for use.
Moreover, testing and evaluation continues as long as a vaccine is in use. If safety concerns regarding the vaccine arise, immediate steps are taken to research whether the vaccine causes any adverse events. Children are far more likely to be harmed by serious infectious diseases than by immunizations. The weight of scientific evidence shows that serious adverse reactions to vaccines are exceptionally rare. Conversely, we know that diseases that can be prevented by vaccines can and do cause long-term disability and even death.