Vaccines

Vaccines help protect people from diseases. They contain "weakened" or "dead" germs, such as viruses or bacteria, which stimulate the body's immune system in a manner that can prevent us from getting sick with harmful pathogens. Here's the latest science news on vaccines.Vaccines
Latest about vaccines

Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia
By Anand Kumar, Jalees Rehman published
A prominent Nature study and related research raise the possibility that vaccines may have a broader role in experimental therapeutics outside the realm of infectious diseases.

COVID-19 vaccines for kids are mired in uncertainty amid conflicting federal guidance
By David Higgins published
Opinion Abrupt policy changes and confusing public messaging have injected confusion in back-to-school vaccine protocols.

'These decisions were completely reckless': Funding cuts to mRNA vaccines will make America more vulnerable to pandemics
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Interview mRNA expert Jeff Coller spoke with Live Science about the future of mRNA vaccines in the United States in the aftermath of huge federal funding cuts.

Scientists gave mice flu vaccines by flossing their tiny teeth — and it worked
By Amy Arthur published
In a proof-of-concept study, scientists have shown that flossing your teeth could be a way to deliver vaccinations that protect you against viruses.

Thimerosal carries no health risks and is almost never used anyway. So why are anti-vaxxers obsessed with it?
By Terri Levien published
Opinion There's no solid evidence that thimerosal harms children. It was removed from almost all vaccines more than 20 years ago out of an abundance of caution, but RFK Jr.'s hand-picked vaccine advisory committee is looking into it.

The WHO penned the world's first pandemic agreement — but the US isn't signing
By Nicole Hassoun published
Opinion The U.S. withdrew from treaty negotiations on President Trump's first day in office.

Whooping cough is surging. Here's what you can do to protect yourself.
By Annette Regan published
Rates of the bacterial infection have gone up by 500% since last year, with babies and young children most at risk.

'Vaccine rejection is as old as vaccines themselves': Science historian Thomas Levenson on the history of germ theory and its deniers
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Interview Live Science spoke with author Thomas Levenson about his new book on the history of germ theory.

Nearly 3 million extra deaths by 2030 could result from HIV funding cuts, study suggests
By Nicoletta Lanese, Emily Cooke published
A modeling study looked at how anticipated cuts to international HIV funding would affect the rate of new cases and HIV-related deaths in low- and middle-income countries.
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.