Frequently Asked Questions

·

·

Frequently Asked Questions or FAQ is the type of resource the most consulted as it is concise, it responds to a particular topic of interest and can be supported by resources. Below you will find a list of topics from which you may choose to address in your website. Resources can be provided for each topic upon request.
In the end of the list are provided examples of VSN members’ pages with FAQs on vaccine safety for your easy reference.

Why Vaccinate?

Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent diseases. In total, vaccines are estimated to save between 2 and 3 million lives every year. Together with governments, vaccines manufacturers, scientists and medical experts, WHO’s vaccine safety programme is constantly helping monitor the safety of vaccines. This helps ensure that vaccines are safe for you and your family.

https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1

Development of a vaccine

Most vaccines have been in use for decades, with millions of people receiving them safely every year. As with all medicines, every vaccine must go through extensive and rigorous testing to ensure it is safe before it can be introduced in a country’s vaccine programme.

Aluminium in Vaccines

Aluminium is used in vaccines as an adjuvant. Adjuvants are added to some vaccines to boost the vaccines and help the body to build stronger immunity.

How does a vaccine work?

To produce protection against a disease, vaccines activate biological reactions in the body. Those reactions vary depending on the type of vaccine and its mode of administration.

How to communicate information on vaccine safety?
Adverse events following immunization

Adverse event following immunization is any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunization and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine. If not rapidly and effectively dealt with, can undermine confidence in a vaccine and ultimately have dramatic consequences for immunization coverage and disease incidence.

Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine

HPV vaccines prevent cervical cancer by preventing infection by various HPV types. Two HPV vaccines are currently prequalified by WHO – a bivalent and a quadrivalent vaccine. Both vaccines are highly efficacious in preventing infection with virus types 16 and 18, which are together responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases globally.

Covid-19 Vaccines
Vaccination during pregnancy

Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases are responsible for significant maternal, neonatal, and young infant morbidity and mortality. Maternal immunization can protect the mother directly against vaccine-preventable infections, and provide a cocooning effect that can potentially protect the fetus. It can also provide further direct fetal/infant protection against infection via the transport of specific antibodies to the fetus prior to birth.

Polio Vaccines

Polio is a highly infectious disease, mostly affecting young children, that attacks the nervous system and can lead to spinal and respiratory paralysis, and in some cases death.

Vaccine safety

WHO website and VSN members’ websites containing FAQ sections on vaccine safety:


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *