What are the next steps being undertaken to make vaccines even safer for the future?
Vaccine safety is continually looked at by reviewing reports made to VAERS and by independent researchers.
As new methods of immunization become available, such as oral vaccines or genetically altered foods that can act as vaccines, safety issues are considered above all else.
If it is safe for animals, careful trials are done with people. If safety and effectiveness is confirmed, large-scale trials take place. Even after a vaccine is licensed for use, there are ongoing studies by drug companies, the CDC, and independent scientists. If outbreaks of illness occur, they are studied to determine the effectiveness of vaccines.
