Immunizations: What You Need to Know

We all need vaccines throughout our lives to help protect against serious diseases.


Every year, tens of thousands of Americans get sick from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines – some people are hospitalized, some even die. Immunization is our best protection against these diseases. Vaccines are recommended for children, teens and adults based on different factors like age, health conditions, lifestyle, jobs and travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical experts update vaccine recommendations every year based on the latest research and science. Vaccination is a critical step in protecting those that are most vulnerable to illness – infants and young children, the elderly and those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems.

Answer to Four Common Immunization Questions