Vaccines
Vaccines protect us from serious diseases.
They help our children stay healthy to learn, play and grow. Think of vaccines like software updates for your body: they give your immune system the tools it needs to block harmful germs before they can cause illness.
And they work really well! As an example, in the years before we had a measles vaccine, almost every child got measles by age 15. This led to millions of infections, thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths each year. Today, two doses of a measles vaccine keep 97 in 100 people from getting measles. Even if someone does catch it, their case is much milder and safer.
Vaccine resources and news
Explore the resources on this page to learn more about how vaccines work, what you can do to help protect yourself and others and what APHA is doing to protect vaccine access.
Childhood immunizations factsheet
Vaccines help prevent serious illnesses in children. learn more about why vaccinating children is important to keep them healthy and protect others.
Vaccine safety factsheet
Learn how the U.S. monitors every vaccine to make sure they are safe for everyone.
Vaccines policy factsheet
Strong vaccine policies help protect communities, but today they face important challenges that can put the public's health at risk.
APHA signs on open letter urging COVID-19 vaccination coverage in pregnancy
APHA joins the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and dozens of organizations in an open letter urging COVID-19 vaccination coverage in pregnancy.
ACIP’s role in vaccine access and safety must be preserved
The Family Vaccine Protection Act will codify the critical work of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which provides expert, evidence-based recommendations on the use of vaccines to protect the public from infectious diseases.
Protecting vaccine access and public trust: what needs to happen now
This factsheet highlights key actions to protect vaccine access, build public trust and support a strong public health system. Use it to inform your advocacy, share with partners and urge decisionmakers to act now.
Webinar – Navigating the vaccine debate: science, misinformation and policy
Join us for a town hall where experts will talk about the science behind vaccines, how misinformation affects public health, and the role of policies in building trust and ensuring access.
Vaccination, messaging remain key to reducing measles spread, panelists say
Even as cases in Texas have slowed, measles is spreading in other U.S. states, concerning health officials.
Get the facts on measles
Learn more about how measles spreads and how vaccination helps prevent it.
More about vaccines and public health
We know that health decisions can feel deeply personal—you want to do what’s right for your family. Choosing to vaccinate is one of the most powerful ways to protect your loved ones and support a strong healthy community. It’s a choice that helps kids stay in school, families avoid preventable illness and all of us move through life with peace of mind.
Vaccines support our health at every stage of life—from childhood through adulthood—helping us stay healthy so we can work, learn, care for others and enjoy the moments that matter.
If most people in a community get vaccinated, germs have fewer chances to spread. This community immunity helps protect those who cannot get vaccinated, like newborns or people with certain health conditions. It’s a team effort—your choice to vaccinate helps protect your family, your neighbors and your whole community. We saw this during COVID-19 and we see it every time we stop an outbreak.
It’s normal to have questions. Health choices are important and people want to be sure they’re doing the right thing. That’s why vaccines go through strong testing before they’re approved and are carefully watched after they’re in use. Scientists, doctors and public health experts work together to make sure vaccines are safe and effective.
Vaccines don’t just prevent illness—they help keep schools open, hospitals running and communities strong. They’re one of the best tools we have in public health and one of the most meaningful choices we can make together.
