Vaccines

As a scientific organization rooted in evidence-based research, ASM strongly supports the universal application of vaccines to prevent illness and death caused by infectious diseases. Despite overwhelming successes, including the eradication of smallpox, many people have questions or misconceptions about how vaccines work. Explore ASM's policy statements, articles and more on the science behind vaccines and what ASM is doing to support vaccine and research policy.

The Science of Vaccination

Disease-Specific Expertise

Real World Effectiveness of Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines: April 16, 2021

Do Pfizer and Moderna vaccines prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection? Can you transmit the virus after you’ve been vaccinated? How effective are mRNA vaccines in real world scenarios?

Overcoming Barriers to Vaccination

COVID-19 Vaccinations in Underrepresented Communities
Vaccines Are Critical. Here’s How You Can Help Spread the Word
Measles Vaccination and Infection: Questions and Misconceptions
Fact Checking Vaccine Myths Is a Matter of Life and Death (blog by past ASM President Vic DiRita)

Vaccine Development

This Week in Virology (TWiV) Podcast: Feb. 14, 2021

Paul Offit joins TWiV to discuss all things vaccine, including how COVID-19 vaccine development was accelerated.

Browse All ASM Vaccine Content

What ASM Is Doing

ASM advocates for investment in the development of vaccines, as well as effective deployment of evidence-based public preventive strategies and education to protect against existing and re-emerging diseases.

Policy Statement ASM Calls for Equity in Vaccine Distribution

ASM urges the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure funding provided in the American Rescue Plan goes to underserved communities, communities of color and those hardest hit by the pandemic.

Policy Statement ASM Supports FDA Guidance on EUAs for COVID-19 Vaccines

ASM issued the following statement in Oct. 2020 supporting FDA's guidance for emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines.

Webinar COVID-19: Revving Up to Warp Speed

ASM experts held a series of webinars in 2020 to educate policymakers about the science behind Operation Warp Speed, the initiative to develop COVID-19 vaccines.

ASM Journals Publishing Cutting-Edge Research

ASM's 18 scholarly journals publish cutting-edge research, as well as scientific reviews, in vaccine science.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vaccine hesitancy—the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines—threatens to reverse progress made in tackling vaccine-preventable diseases. In 2019, the World Health Organization declared vaccine hesitancy 1 of the 10 biggest threats to global health.

Article COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

Read answers to common questions about the different vaccines used to fight the ongoing pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, including how they differ and what trial results show.

Fact Sheet Vaccines Save Lives

Download this fact sheet on vaccines that includes data on public perceptions of vaccines and the role of U.S. government agencies in vaccine science and regulation.

Report FAQ: Adult Vaccines: A Grown up Thing To Do

This American Academy of Microbiology report provides non-technical, science-based answers to questions regarding adult immunization.

Public Engagement COVID-19 Vaccine AMA on Reddit

Read the Feb. 2021 "Ask Me Anything (AMA)," sponsored on Reddit by ASM, with Drs. Maria Elena Bottazzi, A. Oveta Fuller, Kevin McCarthy and Angela Rasmussen.

Global Childhood Vaccination Policies

Vaccines provide the best, and sometimes only, protection from dangerous diseases; thus many countries require or recommend immunization from an early age.

Source: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/mandatory-childhood-vaccination

Resources Vaccines