Immunizations | Vermont Department of Health

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Protected at Every Stage of Life

Vaccines not only protect individuals but also reduce the spread of disease in the community, helping to protect those who may be more vulnerable, such as infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. By getting vaccinated, you’re taking an important step in preventing serious health complications and reducing hospitalizations.

Learn more about what vaccines adults need.

Adult Vaccines

Learn more about what vaccines children and adolescents need.

Childhood & Adolescent Vaccines

Learn more about reporting immunizations.

Schools/Childcare Providers

Vaccines: Your Best Defense Against Serious Illness

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you from serious diseases. They train your immune system to recognize and fight infections before they can cause severe illness. From birth to adulthood, staying current on recommended vaccines helps prevent life-threatening conditions, including:

Diphtheria – Before widespread vaccination, diphtheria was a leading cause of illness and death among children.
Hepatitis B – Prior to the vaccine, hepatitis B was a major cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis, transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids.
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) – Before Hib vaccination, this bacterium was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children under five, leading to brain damage, hearing loss, or death.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – HPV is responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer and can cause other cancers of the throat, anus, and genitals.
Measles – Highly contagious, measles can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, and death, especially in young children.
Mumps – Mumps can cause viral meningitis and deafness.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) – Whooping cough causes severe coughing fits that can last for weeks, leading to pneumonia, seizures, and death in infants.
Pneumococcal Disease – Pneumococcal infections cause severe pneumonia, blood infections, and meningitis, especially in infants and older adults.
Polio – At its peak, polio paralyzed or killed thousands of children each year in the U.S. alone.
Rubella (German Measles) – When contracted during pregnancy, rubella can cause severe birth defects in babies.
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) – RSV is a leading cause of infant hospitalizations and can be life-threatening for older adults.
Shingles – A painful, blistering rash, shingles can cause long-term nerve pain and increases in risk with age.
Tetanus – Without the vaccine, tetanus causes painful muscle stiffness and lockjaw, leading to death in 10–20% of cases.

By keeping up with recommended vaccines, you help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from diseases that once caused widespread suffering.

It’s Ok to Have Questions about Vaccinations

Understanding which vaccines you need and why they matter can help you make confident decisions about your health. Your health care provider or pharmacist is a great resource for accurate information and personalized recommendations tailored to your age, lifestyle, and medical history.

How Vaccines Work

Vaccines help train your body to fight off infections before you get sick. They contain tiny, harmless pieces of a germ (like a virus or bacteria) called antigens. These antigens teach your immune system to recognize and attack the real germ if you’re ever exposed to it.

Think of it like a fire drill—your body practices responding to the threat so it knows exactly what to do when the real thing comes along.

For example, the tetanus vaccine contains a weakened version of the toxin made by the bacteria that cause tetanus. This helps your immune system learn how to fight tetanus without actually giving you the disease. Later, if you step on a rusty nail or get a deep cut, your body will already know how to protect you.

Even better, vaccines help your immune system "remember" how to fight the infection in the future, so you stay protected over time.