Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases.

Things you need to know about vaccines

• protect you and your child from many serious and potentially deadly diseases
• protect other people in your community – by helping to stop diseases spreading to people who cannot have vaccines
• undergo rigorous safety testing before being introduced – they’re also constantly monitored for side effects after being introduced
• sometimes cause mild side effects that will not last long – some children may feel a bit unwell and have a sore arm for 2 or 3 days
• reduce or even get rid of some diseases – if enough people are vaccinated