Vaccine Safety

Since vaccines are given to healthy people, as well as those with certain medical conditions, they are developed in accordance with the highest standards of safety. Vaccines must meet strict U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines before they are approved for use. Even though the FDA requires extensive testing and ongoing monitoring before and after licensure, immunization providers still play a key role in helping to ensure the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Immunization providers do this through proper vaccine storage and administration, observation of precautions and contraindications, management of vaccine side effects, reporting of suspected side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), and educating patients and parents about vaccine benefits and risks.