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Prevention & Treatment

Vaccines and Immunizations

Vaccines and immunizations aren't just for kids. Learn what is recommended for who (and when) and the significant role shots can play in keeping you healthy.

Justice Scales and books and wooden gavel

What Is the Vaccine Court and How Does It Work?

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

Bandaid close-up

How Do Vaccines Work, Exactly?

Medically reviewed by Caitilin Kelly, MD

Thermacell Scout Lantern

How to Prevent the Zika Virus

Medically reviewed by Andy Miller, MD

Doctor applying bandaid to child's arm after vaccination

Top 20 Vaccines You Should Know About

Medically reviewed by Cristian Zanartu, MD

girl getting a bandaid after receiving her shot

Mandatory vs. Recommended Vaccinations

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

Woman getting a shot.

UTI Vaccine Shows Promise

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

woman getting a shot in her arm

What to Know About the Typhoid Vaccine

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

Nurse giving older man a vaccine

Medicare Covers These Vaccines: Is It Worth a Shot?

Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD

Tips to Avoid Hospital Infections

Fact checked by Ashley Hall

Male doctor giving female patient an injection in clinic examination room

Recommended Vaccinations for Healthcare Workers

Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD

Child vaccination

Safety of the MMR Vaccine for Kids With Egg Allergies

Medically reviewed by Daniel More, MD

Boy getting a shot

Why Do Some Kids Need Two Flu Shots?

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Waldman, MD, RD

Doctor giving young girl flu shot

Flu Shots: Timing, Side Effects, and More

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

Father holding newborn son

Who Should Not Get Flu Shots

Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD

Young man smiles in relief at pharmacist after flu vaccination

Afluria Flu Vaccine Jet Injector: Uses, Side Effects, Dosages, Precautions

Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO

Woman blowing her nose

Why Isn't There a Vaccine for the Common Cold?

Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

Woman sipping tea

Survey: Effective Vaccine Conversations Rely on Open Communication

By Amanda Morelli and Brett Spiegel, MPH

Grandmother lying in bed with baby

5 Vaccines All Grandparents Should Get

Medically reviewed by Jenny Sweigard, MD

Hispanic boy getting a shot at doctor's office

Vaccines in People Allergic to Eggs: What's Safe?

Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

Boy getting flu shot

Common Side Effects of the Influenza Vaccine

Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD

When is it Too Late to Get a Flu Shot?

Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO

Should You Get a Flu Shot If You Have an Egg Allergy?

Medically reviewed by Daniel More, MD

Man washing hands in sink

How to Prevent the Risk of Infectious Diseases

Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO

Hospice Patients and the Flu Vaccine

Medically reviewed by Cristian Zanartu, MD

Can I Get A Flu Shot While Sick?

Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO

A syringe is injected into a vial

Do Vaccines Contain Aborted Fetal Tissue?

Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO

Healthcare worker prepares a inoculation vaccine

How Smallpox Vaccine Helped Win the American Revolution

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

CC license: https://www.flickr.com/photos/iavi_flickr/9317042666/in/album-72157634698417922/

Why Is It So Hard to Make an HIV Vaccine?

Medically reviewed by Latesha Elopre, MD, MSPH

Girl receiving vaccine

Preventing Chickenpox: Avoidance and Vaccination

By Heather L. Brannon, MD

young woman receiving HPV vaccine

Study Shows Gardasil to Be Highly Effective

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Woman administering a vaccine

Overview of Inactivated Vaccines

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

What You Need to Know About Live Virus Vaccines

Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

Girl is Feeling Sick and Wrapped in Blanket

Tamiflu and Its Safe Use for Kids

Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

boxes of tamiflu

Taking Tamiflu to Treat the Flu

Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO

Parents holding baby girl while pediatrician prepares vaccination

The MMR Vaccination-Autism Controversy

Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

teenage boy bracing himself for injection from a doctor

Overview of HPV Vaccine Gardasil 9 for Boys

Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD

Young boy getting a shot

Does Your Child Need a Flu Shot?

Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD

Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Recommended Immunization Schedule for Teens

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Waldman, MD, RD

Caring doctor talks with young patient

Measles Prevention

Medically reviewed by Andy Miller, MD

Medical consultation

Recommended Vaccines for Adults

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

Why You May Still Get Sick After a Flu Shot

Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO

Tetanus vaccination

How Often Do You Need Tetanus Booster Shots?

Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO

Multiple patients, doctors, and nurses in a hospital

Infection Prevention Control in Hospitals

Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD

Is a Preservative-Free Flu Vaccine Safer?

Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

Andy Wakefield supporters.

Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Children Can Have Autism

Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO

Woman receiving a vaccine.

How Long Does a Flu Shot Last?

Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD

What You Need to Know About Tdap, DPT and Tetanus Shots

Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH

2 vials of flu vaccine

How Flu Shots Work and Why They Sometimes Don't

Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

Nurse giving patient injection in hospital

Do I Need the Pneumonia Shot If I Have Asthma?

Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD

Nurse putting bandaid on child's arm

Essential Facts About the Tdap Vaccine

Medically reviewed by Susan Olender, MD

pharmacist giving flu shot to little girl

Latest CDC Flu Shot Recommendations and Guidelines

Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO

two women having serious conversation

How to Talk to a Vaccine Skeptic

Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

doctor in lab filling syringe with vaccine

History and Future of Infectious Disease Eradication

Medically reviewed by Caitilin Kelly, MD

Young girl getting a shot

What You Need to Know About the DTaP Vaccine

Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH

Getting flu vaccine

Preventing Shingles: Avoidance and Vaccination

Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD

Doctor Applying Bandage After Giving Vaccine

Who Makes the Childhood Vaccine Schedule?

Fact checked by Ashley Hall

Girl getting vaccine at the doctor

The Difference Between Immunization and Vaccination

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

Baby being vaccinated

History of the Anti-Vaccine Movement

Fact checked by Ashley Hall

Person's hand examining fever of a child

Who Is at Risk From Unvaccinated Kids?

Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD

Pediatrician talking to mother with her baby

Screening for Vaccine Reactions

Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO

African American nurse giving patient injection

Immunization Schedules for Children in the US

Fact checked by Ashley Hall

Doctor giving patient a shot in office

11 Best Books on Vaccines and Vaccination

Fact checked by James Lacy

Parents holding baby girl while pediatrician prepares vaccination - stock photo

Facts About Vaccines, Vaccine Ingredients, and Vaccine Safety

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

Two polio drops of safety

History of Vaccinations and Vaccines

Fact checked by Ashley Hall

Facts About Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

Close up of hand in rubber glove filling syringe

Understanding Live Vaccines and Vaccine Shedding

Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO

Child getting a vaccine

How to Get Free or Low-Cost Vaccines for Children

By Vincent Iannelli, MD

Parents holding baby girl while pediatrician prepares vaccination

Are Vaccine Ingredients Safe? Yes.

Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH

Young girl receiving a vaccination

The Vaccine Debate Overview

Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO

Children raising their hands in a classroom

Common Vaccine Requirements for School

Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO

Young girl getting an immunization

12 Vaccines Recommended for All Young Children

Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD

A baby receives a vaccination by a doctor in an office while the mother holds the baby

Allergic Reactions to a Baby Vaccination

Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD

nurse in a medical file storage room

Are Medical Records Private?

Fact checked by Dale Brauner

Women in conversation

What Is Healthy Conversations?

By Brett Spiegel, MPH

Couple Of Friends Talking And Drinking Coffee At Pool Hall

Strategies to Make Tough Conversations More Effective

Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD