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Vaccine Safety

Vaccines are safe — the data supports it.

As a caregiver, you are continuously taking steps to protect your children — whether it’s applying sun block or fastening your child in a safety seat. Vaccines are another important step to protect your child from illnesses and death caused by infectious preventable diseases.

Vaccines are safe, and scientists are continually working to improve them. Every vaccine undergoes many tests before being licensed, and its safety continues to be monitored as long as the vaccine is in use. Most side effects from vaccination are minor, short-lived, and treatable, such as soreness at the site of injection or a low-grade fever. Serious reactions are very rare and have to be weighed against the very real risk of getting a dangerous vaccine-preventable disease. If you have concerns or questions, talk to your child’s healthcare provider.

Vaccine Safety — General
CDC: Vaccine Testing and the Approval Process
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: Vaccine Education Center
National Academy of Sciences: Vaccines are Safe

Vaccine Safety — Flu
Hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received flu vaccines over the past 50 years. Extensive research supports the safety of seasonal flu vaccines. Each year, the CDC works with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other partners to ensure the highest safety standards for flu vaccines.
CDC: Influenza Vaccine Safety