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Glossary

• Search vaccine-related terms A-Z to find definitions and hear audio pronunciations of challenging words (English only).

Acronyms and Abbreviations

• This vaccine abbreviations page lists abbreviations used for vaccines, including some "old" or non-standard abbreviations used on immunization records (English only).

Guide to Federal Vaccine Web Sites

• Many federal agencies are involved in the vaccine system--learn what different agencies do and the information their web sites provide to help target your search if you want more information on certain topics (English only).

Vaccine Information Statements

• Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) are information sheets produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that explain to vaccine recipients, their parents, or their legal representatives both the benefits and risks of a vaccine. Federal law requires that VIS be handed out whenever (before each dose) vaccinations are given (available in Spanish and many other languages).

 Information About Vaccines Approved for Use in the U.S.

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assures the availability of safe and effective vaccines used for the prevention of infectious diseases. This section includes information about each vaccine approved for use in the United States (English only).

How Vaccines Work

• Viruses and bacteria can cause diseases that affect infants, children, and adults. Vaccines help the body fight these diseases. The immune system has a natural ability to fight off these germs, but certain diseases are so powerful that they can overwhelm or escape the body’s natural defenses. In these situations, vaccines can make all the difference to keep you and your family healthy. Read more about how vaccines work (English only).

Types of Vaccines

• Learn more about the different kinds of vaccines and how they work with your immune system (available in Spanish).

Features: News & Video

• Watch video and read news features that have appeared on Vaccines.gov and other federal vaccine-related Web sites (available in Spanish).

Free Resources

• Share Vaccines.gov information! Get Vaccines.gov badges and widgets to embed on your website (available in Spanish).