Understanding vaccines
- A vaccine is a medicine which is administered to protect against a specific disease.
- Vaccines are mainly given through an injection but can also be given orally (by mouth) or sprayed into the nose.
Uses of vaccines
Vaccines are a simple and effective way to help protect you against harmful diseases caused by bacteria or viruses such as flu, measles, and COVID-19.
What is in vaccines
- Vaccines contain a safe version or part of a virus or bacteria.
- This could be DNA, mRNA or a protein, or a weakened or inactivated form of the virus or bacteria that cannot cause the disease itself.
- Some vaccines contain substances called adjuvants that boost the body’s immune response to the vaccine. A commonly used vaccine adjuvant is aluminium.
- A recent large-scale study did not find evidence to support an increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, with early childhood exposure to aluminium containing vaccines.
- Some vaccines contain a preservative called thiomersal. There is no evidence to suggest it causes harm or is linked to neurodevelopment disorders, including autism.
- In the UK, as a precaution thiomersal is not used in any vaccines within the current routine immunisation schedule for adults, children, or during pregnancy, including for children in specific clinical risk groups.
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