Vaccines by Disease

Vaccines do a great job of keeping people from getting serious diseases. In the United States, the rates for most vaccine-preventable diseases are at record or near-record lows.

But these diseases still exist — even if they are rare in the United States, they may be common in countries that are just a plane ride away. As long as these diseases are around, people will continue to get sick.

That’s why it’s so important for you and your family to get vaccinated.

In this section, you’ll find answers to common questions about vaccines and the diseases they protect you from, including:

  • What is the vaccine?
  • What disease does it protect me from?
  • Why is the vaccine important?
  • Who needs the vaccine?
  • Who should not get the vaccine?
  • What are the side effects?
Last Reviewed: June 2020