What Are Vaccines?
Vaccines are special medicines that help your body fight diseases. They teach your immune system how to recognize harmful germs (viruses or bacteria) and protect you from becoming sick.
How Do Vaccines Work?
Vaccines contain tiny pieces of germs or weakened germs that cannot make you sick. They help your body learn to fight diseases without getting sick first.
Why Do We Need Vaccines?
Vaccines keep you, your family, and your community healthy by preventing diseases from spreading and causing harm.


Benefits of Vaccines
- Protect against serious illnesses.
- Help your body fight infections.
- Keep your community safe by stopping disease outbreaks.
- Save lives by preventing dangerous diseases.
Common Myths About Vaccines
- Myth: Vaccines make you sick.
- Truth: Vaccines cannot cause the disease. They protect you from getting sick.
- Myth: Getting sick naturally is better.
- Truth: Vaccines help you stay safe without the risks of serious illness.
- Myth: Vaccines are dangerous.
- Truth: Vaccines are tested carefully and are very safe. Side effects, if any, are mild.
Common Vaccines
Kids:
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – Prevents measles, mumps, and rubella.
- DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) – Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.
- Polio Vaccine – Prevents polio, which can cause paralysis.
- Varicella (Chickenpox) – Prevents itchy rash and fever caused by chickenpox.
- Hepatitis B – Protects the liver from hepatitis B virus.
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) – Prevents serious infections like meningitis.
- Flu Vaccine – Protects against seasonal flu.
- Rotavirus Vaccine – Prevents severe diarrhea caused by rotavirus.
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – Prevents certain cancers and diseases caused by HPV.
- Meningococcal Vaccine – Protects against meningitis.
- COVID-19 Vaccine – Protects against COVID-19 virus.
Adults:
- Flu Vaccine – Protects from seasonal flu.
- Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) – Protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.
- Shingles (Zoster Vaccine) – Prevents painful shingles rash.
- Pneumococcal Vaccine – Prevents pneumonia and other serious lung infections.
- COVID-19 Vaccine – Protects against COVID-19 virus.
- Hepatitis B – Protects the liver from hepatitis B virus.
- Hepatitis A – Prevents liver disease caused by hepatitis A.
- Meningococcal Vaccine – Protects against meningitis.
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – Prevents certain cancers and diseases caused by HPV.
- Travel Vaccines – Protects travelers from diseases common in other countries.