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

Related Topics: Immune System, Medicine, DNA and Genes, Virus

Latest Updates

Tetanus is caused by the bacterium <em>Clostridium tetani</em>.

Unvaccinated Oregon Boy Is Diagnosed with Tetanus, the State's 1st Child Case in 30 Years

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

An unvaccinated child fell down, and received the first diagnosis of tetanus in a child in Oregon in over 30 years.

Child getting vaccination

Confirmed: No Link Between Autism and Measles Vaccine, Even for 'At Risk' Kids

By Laura Geggel published

An MMR vaccine.

Measles Outbreak Spurs Vaccination Surge in Anti-Vaxxer Hotspot

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Weeks after a hotspot for anti-vaxxers turned into a hotspot for measles infections, it became a hotspot for vaccination

vaccine, vial

Anti-Vaccine Movement Joins Ebola, Drug Resistance on List of Top Global Threats

By Rachael Rettner published

The World Health Organization has listed the anti-vaccine movement as a top global health threat in 2019.

Doctors Thought a Woman Was Having a Panic Attack. She Actually Had Rabies.

By Rachael Rettner published

The U.S. woman acquired the infection while on a yoga retreat in India.

bread

How Does the Experimental 'Vaccine' for Celiac Disease Work?

By Rachael Rettner published

An experimental "vaccine" for celiac disease is set to be tested in a new clinical trial.

romania, measles

Are Anti-Vaxxers to Blame for Europe's Current Measles Outbreak?

By Leslie Nemo published

The measles thrives in populations that are under-vaccinated. So, why have so many people in Europe avoided getting their shots?

A stock photo of a patient in the hospital wearing a face mask.

Brave Volunteers Got Whooping Cough Bacteria Put Up Their Noses, For Science

By Rachael Rettner published

Thirty four people in the United Kingdom volunteered to get live whooping cough bacteria dripped into their noses, for science.

hpv, gardasil

The HPV Vaccine Was Just Approved for Adults Up to Age 45. Should They Get It?

By Leslie Nemo published

Should more adults be getting the HPV vaccine?

Why Flu Epidemics Work Differently in Big American Cities

By Rafi Letzter published

A new paper highlights new and unique problems with how influenza moves through dense urban centers in the US.

influenza, bird flu mutation

The Flu (Influenza): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

By Alina Bradford published

The flu (short for influenza) is a respiratory virus that affects the throat, nose, bronchi and, sometimes, the lungs.

A person getting a flu shot.

How a Cream for Genital Warts Might Also Help with Flu Pandemics

By Rachael Rettner published

Researchers are testing whether a genital warts cream could also help boost protection from flu vaccines in the case of a pandemic.

Twitter logo

Twitter Bots and Trolls Fuel Online Discord About Vaccines

By Rachael Rettner published

Twitter bots and trolls appear to be skewing online discussions about vaccinations, according to a new study.

A baby raccoon.

Woman Rescued a Baby Raccoon. Now, She and 20 Friends Need Rabies Treatment.

By Rachael Rettner published

Baby raccoons are cute. But if you ever see one, you should probably resist the urge to scoop it up and bring it home with you.

An illustration of DNA

DARPA Wants to Boost Your Body's Defenses ― By 'Tuning' Your Genes

By Rachael Rettner published

A new DARPA program will explore ways to better protect people against biological and chemical threats by temporarily "tuning" gene expression.

A room at "Hotel Influenza," which will house volunteers who are intentionally exposed to the flu in order to test the effectiveness of flu vaccines.

Would You Stay at 'Hotel Influenza'?

By Rachael Rettner published

A stay at this hotel comes with a catch: You might get the flu.

prairie dog

How a Prairie-Dog Plague Vaccine Could Protect Ferrets (and Maybe People, Too)

By Nidhi Sharma published

Yes, there's a vaccine for the plague, one of the most notorious diseases known to humanity. But unfortunately, this vaccine isn't for humans — it's for prairie dogs.

nina shapiro, hype

Don't Believe the 'Hype': This New Book Separates Health Fact from Fiction

By Jim McLauchlin published

Dr. Nina Shapiro tackles medical misconceptions in her new book, "Hype."

Vaccine

A Cancer 'Vaccine' Cured 97% of Tumors in Mice. What's That Mean for People?

By Rachael Rettner published

A promising new cancer "vaccine" will soon be tested in humans for the first time.

Vaccine

The Flu Shot Is More Effective Than We Thought This Year

By Rachael Rettner published

It's been a bad flu season, but this year's vaccine does offer some protection against the nasty bug.