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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.
Older Black man wearing a mask and receiving a vaccine from a medical provider
How Will My Health Insurance Cover a COVID-19 Vaccine?
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Justice Scales and books and wooden gavel
The Vaccine Court: What It Is and How It Works
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
Bandaid close-up
How Do Vaccines Work, Exactly?
Medically reviewed by Caitilin Kelly, MD
Couple hiking while wearing mosquito headnets
How to Protect Yourself From the Zika Virus
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
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 Vaccines: What You Should Know
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 Typhoid Vaccines
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
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6 Tips for Preventing Infection in the Hospital
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Male doctor giving female patient an injection in clinic examination room
What Vaccines Do Healthcare Professionals Need?
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
Could Your Child Need Two Flu Vaccines?
Medically reviewed by Lindsey Waldman, MD, RD
Doctor giving young girl flu shot
Quick Flu Shot Facts Everyone Should Know
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
You Can Get a Flu Vaccine Without a Needle or a Nose Spray
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
6 Vaccines All Grandparents Should Get
Medically reviewed by Jenny Sweigard, MD
Hispanic boy getting a shot at doctor's office
These 3 Vaccines May Pose a Risk If You're Allergic to Eggs
Medically reviewed by Daniel More, MD
Boy getting flu shot
Common Side Effects of the Influenza Vaccine
Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD
Flu vaccine
When Is It Too Late to Get a Flu Shot?
Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO
Eggs
Are Flu Vaccines Safe For People With Egg Allergies?
Medically reviewed by Daniel More, MD
Man washing hands in sink
10 Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Infectious Diseases
Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO
flu shot
Should Hospice and Palliative Care Patients Get a Flu Vaccine?
Medically reviewed by Cristian Zanartu, MD
Flu shot
Can I Get A Flu Shot While Sick?
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
A syringe is injected into a vial
Is There Really a Connection Between Vaccines and 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: From Handwashing to Vaccination
Medically reviewed by Andy Miller, MD
Young doctor giving a patient injection.
How Effective is Gardasil, the HPV Vaccine?
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
Woman administering a vaccine
How Inactivated Vaccines Help Your Body Fight a Virus
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
MMR vaccine
What You Need to Know About Live Virus Vaccines
Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD
Girl is Feeling Sick and Wrapped in Blanket
Is Tamiflu Safe for Your Kids?
Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD
boxes of tamiflu
Can Tamiflu Help Shorten the Duration of Your Flu?
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO
teenage boy bracing himself for injection from a doctor
Why Getting the HPV Vaccine Is Vital for Boys Age 11 and Older
Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD
Young boy getting a shot
Does Your Child Really 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
How to Prevent Measles
Medically reviewed by Andy Miller, MD
Medical consultation
What Are the Recommended Vaccines for Adults?
Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH
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Why You May Still Get Sick After a Flu Shot
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
Doctor injecting vaccination in arm of little child girl
When and Why We 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
Vaccine vial
Is a Preservative-Free Flu Vaccine Safer?
Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD
Andy Wakefield supporters.
Worried About Vaccines? Unvaccinated Children Can Have Autism, Too
Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO
Woman receiving a vaccine.
How Long Does a Flu Shot Last?
Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD
Injection
Do You Really Need a Tetanus Shot?
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 Anju Goel, MD, MPH
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
The Infectious Diseases Humans Could Eliminate
Medically reviewed by Caitilin Kelly, MD
Vaccination
How the DTaP Vaccine Helps Protect Against Infectious Diseases
Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH
Getting flu vaccine
The Best Strategies For Preventing Shingles
Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD
Doctor Applying Bandage After Giving Vaccine
Who Makes the Childhood Vaccination Schedule?
Fact checked by Ashley Hall
Girl getting vaccine at the doctor
Is There a 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
Nurse giving child a vaccine
Is Your Child at Risk for a Vaccine Reaction?
Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO
African American nurse giving patient injection
What Shots Your Child Needs and When They Need Them
Fact checked by Ashley Hall