Types of vaccine protection for individuals and communities
Vaccines serve many people and purposes, protecting specific people and groups, preventing the spread of disease, and supporting public health across communities.
Childhood vaccinations are given at specific ages to protect against serious diseases such as polio, HPV, measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus. These vaccines not only keep children safe but also help them build strong, lasting immunity that protects them well into adulthood.
Routine vaccines like the annual flu shot or the COVID-19 vaccine are recommended for most people to protect against common, contagious diseases. Widespread vaccination helps reduce transmission and protects those who are more vulnerable, such as infants, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions.
Travel vaccines protect people who are visiting areas where certain diseases are more common. Depending on your destination, you may need vaccines for yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A, or other region-specific illnesses that aren’t typically a risk at home.
Some jobs carry a higher risk of exposure to infectious diseases. Occupational vaccines, such as the hepatitis B vaccine for health care workers or rabies vaccine for animal handlers, help protect employees and prevent workplace-related outbreaks.
People with weakened immune systems, older adults, or those with certain chronic health conditions may be more susceptible to infections. Vaccines like the shingles, pneumonia, or RSV vaccine help protect these groups from potentially severe complications.
In the event of a sudden disease outbreak, such as meningitis, mpox, or localized measles cases, vaccines may be given rapidly to affected communities. These targeted campaigns help contain the spread and prevent wider public health crises.