MicrobeWorld

Since vaccines have been so successful at controlling diseases like smallpox and polio in the United States, we often take our relatively epidemic-free world for granted. But less than a lifetime ago, these diseases and others were still real threats to health. Despite vaccines’ successes, many people do not know how vaccines work, or that they are not just important for children, but adults too.

The report is based on a colloquium convened by the Academy in late 2011, which brought together 18 of the nation’s leading experts to consider and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about vaccines for adults. It provides non-technical, science-based answers to questions that people may have regarding immunization.

Some of the questions the report considers include:

• What are vaccines and how do they work?

• Why do adults need to be vaccinated?

• How can getting vaccinated as an adult help protect my children? Or elderly parents?

• Are vaccines safe – and how do we know this?

Download the report by clicking "source" above to learn more.