Vaccine-preventable Diseases

Vaccine-preventable diseases are a range of illnesses that can be prevented through the use of vaccines. Vaccines work by introducing a weakened or inactivated form of a pathogen into the body, allowing it to develop an immunity to the disease. Vaccines have been an incredibly important tool in public health, helping to reduce the spread of life-threatening and disabling diseases worldwide. Vaccines have been used to successfully eradicate smallpox, and have been used to dramatically reduce death and disability from diseases such as measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and others. Vaccines are safe and effective, and are essential for protecting both individuals and the community against disease.