Vaccines give people a way to protect themselves against pathogens that can make us sick, cause permanent harm, or lead to death. 

Vaccines are made in several ways. However, all vaccines have the same general goal: weaken the virus or bacteria in a way that allows the recipient to develop an immune response without developing symptoms of infection. Vaccines are made using the immune-inducing components found in the natural virus or bacteria.

People critical of vaccines often cite issues related to how a vaccine is made, such as the amount of time a vaccine has been tested, the number of people who received it, and the ingredients in the vaccines. However, the vaccine development process is robust. 

Vaccines are only given to people after a long and careful review by a number of different groups involved in licensing, recommending or requiring them.

The benefits of vaccines are often discussed as they relate to people. Vaccines keep people healthy, decrease disease transmission, and save medical care costs. However, animal vaccines are of benefit to people as well, and animals help in the process of making vaccines.

Find answers to questions related to the making of vaccines and their safety, including vaccine injury, liability, side effects and safety studies.