It’s Normal to Have Questions About Vaccines
You do not need to know all the answers before you ask for help.
Asking questions is a good way to make a choice you feel good about. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you understand which vaccines may be needed and why.
Here are a few questions you can ask:
- What does this vaccine help protect against?
- What side effects are normal?
- How long will this vaccine protect me or my child?
- What could happen if I or my child do not get this vaccine?
- Why is this vaccine needed now?
Why Vaccines Matter
When vaccine rates go down, diseases can spread more easily. This can lead to outbreaks in schools, workplaces, day care centers, and neighborhoods.
Here’s what that can mean:
- More people get sick at the same time
- More doctor visits, urgent care visits, or hospital stays
- More missed school days and workdays
- Higher health care costs for families and communities
Did you know?
Most measles cases are linked to outbreaks.
In 2025, 90% of measles cases were linked to outbreaks. In 2026, 93% of reported cases by late June were linked to outbreaks.
Whooping cough has also increased.
The U.S. reported more than 35,000 cases of whooping cough in 2024. That was about five times higher than in 2023. Babies younger than age 1 have the highest risk for serious illness.
Meningitis can be serious fast.
Meningococcal disease is rare, but cases have gone up since 2021. In 2025, 463 cases were reported in the U.S. based on early data. Doctors may suggest vaccines for preteens, teens, and some people at higher risk.
Polio can cause lifelong harm.
Before the polio vaccine, polio paralyzed about 15,000 people each year in the U.S. Wild polio has been eliminated in the U.S., but vaccination helps keep it from coming back.
Pneumonia still sends many people to the hospital.
Pneumonia led to about 1.2 million emergency department visits in the U.S. in 2022 and more than 41,000 deaths in 2024. Pneumococcal vaccines help protect children and adults from some serious lung infections, including some types of pneumonia.
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Why Your Choice Matters
Some people cannot get certain vaccines. This may include babies who are too young, people with some health conditions, and people getting cancer treatment. They depend on others to help keep them safe.
This is called community protection. When most people are vaccinated, it is harder for germs to spread. Without that protection:
- Illness spreads faster
- Outbreaks happen more often
- People at higher risk can become very sick
The HPV Vaccine Can Help Prevent Cancer
Vaccines do more than stop infections. Some vaccines can help prevent cancer later in life.
The HPV vaccine protects against a common virus. This virus can lead to cancers of the cervix, throat, and other areas.
Starting the HPV vaccine at age 9 can:
- Help the body build stronger protection
- Mean fewer doses are needed
- Protect earlier, before contact with the virus
How Vaccines Help the Community
Community health means the health of a group of people, like your town, school, workplace, or neighborhood.
Vaccines help community health by:
- Helping stop diseases that spread
- Reducing hospital visits and long-term health problems
- Keeping schools and communities open and running
- Protecting people who are most at risk
Vaccines Aren’t Just for Young Children
Vaccines are not only for babies and young children. Teens and adults need vaccines too. Some protect you from sickness now. Others help protect your future health.
For teens, vaccines like Tdap, meningococcal, and HPV help protect them at school, during sports, at work, and with friends. In 2024, about 90% of U.S. teens had at least one Tdap and one meningococcal vaccine. But only about 78% had the HPV vaccine, even though it can help prevent some cancers later in life.
Adults also need vaccines to stay protected. Some adults may need vaccines for flu, shingles, pneumonia, or RSV. What you need depends on your age, health, job, travel, and other risks.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist what vaccines you or your family may need and why. Getting facts from a trusted health care provider can help you feel more confident.
For more details about vaccines by age, access our preventive care guidelines:
- Children and Teens
- Adult Women
- Adult Men
They can help you see which vaccines doctors may suggest for you and your family.
Steps You Can Take
You don’t have to figure this out alone. There are easy ways to help you and your family stay on track:
- Talk with your doctor, your child’s doctor, or a pharmacist about vaccines they may suggest
- Follow the vaccine schedule for your age and health needs
- Ask questions if you have concerns
- Keep a record of vaccines for yourself and your family
Protect Your Health Now and Later
Vaccines help protect people at every age. They can prevent serious illness now and lower the risk of health problems later.
By choosing to stay up to date on vaccines, you are:
- Protecting yourself and your family
- Helping protect babies, older adults, and people at higher risk
- Supporting a healthier community for everyone
Get Started
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which vaccines you and your family may need.
