Vaccines protect us throughout life and at different ages, from birth to childhood, as teenagers and into old age. In most countries you will be given a vaccination card that tells you what vaccines you or your child have had and when the next vaccines or booster doses are due. It is important to make sure that all these vaccines are up to date.

Understanding the Context

How vaccines help fight disease Vaccines contain weakened or inactive parts of a particular organism (antigen) that triggers an immune response within the body. Other vaccines contain weakened or reconstituted virus or bacteria as a whole. Newer vaccines contain the blueprint for producing antigens (DNA or RNA) rather than the antigen itself. The Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals department is responsible for targeting vaccine-preventable diseases, guiding immunization research and establishing immunization policy.

Key Insights

The TAG-CO-VAC reconvened on 6-7 May 2025 to review the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2; immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination; the performance of currently approved vaccines against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants; and the implications for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition. Related links: Frequently Asked Questions - Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines Antigenic and genetic characteristics of zoonotic influenza A viruses and development of candidate vaccine viruses for pandemic preparedness in the 2026-2027 northern hemisphere influenza season Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2026 ... The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced recommendations for the viral composition of influenza (or “flu”) vaccines for the 2026-2027 northern hemisphere influenza season. The announcement was made following a 4-day consultation examining global influenza surveillance data. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases.

Final Thoughts

Over the past 50 years, essential vaccines against just 14 diseases have saved at least 154 million lives (1). During the same period, vaccination has contributed to 40% of the drop in infant deaths. Together with governments, vaccine manufacturers, scientists and medical experts, WHO's vaccine safety programme is constantly ...