Adjuvants are substances added to certain vaccines to increase the body’s immune response to that vaccine. Ingredients are added to inactivate viruses or bacteria, to preserve them, and to prevent them from losing potency over time. Vaccines containing adjuvants and ingredients are tested for safety in clinical trials before they are licensed for use in the United States.
Immunize.org
Materials for Providers
Need Help Responding to Vaccine-Hesitant Parents?
A list of science-based materials available from respected organizations.
Materials for Vaccine Recipients
Clear Answers and Smart Advice About Your Baby’s Shots
Written by Dr. Ari Brown, clear answers to parents’ questions about vaccines.
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CDC ∙ FDA ∙ WHO
CDC
Table of excipients (ingredients) found in U.S. vaccines.
Read about ingredients that may be used in the production of vaccines.
Learn about adjuvants and how they are monitored for safety and effectiveness.
Strategies for healthcare professionals on how to discuss vaccines with parents.
FDA
Discussion about why adjuvants and other vaccine ingredients are added to vaccines.
WHO
Reports about adjuvants from WHO’s Global Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee.
Trusted Organizations
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Why certain ingredients are used in vaccines, for parents.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Vaccine Education Center (VEC)
A 2-page Q&A PDF handout for parents answering questions about vaccine ingredients, including aluminum, mercury, gelatin, and antibiotics. A Spanish-language version is also available.
A 2-page Q&A PDF for parents describing how the small amount of aluminum in vaccines is not harmful.
An infographic (PDF) identifying and describing ingredients in the flu vaccine: antigens, adjuvants, stabilizers, preservatives, and residual byproducts.
Information about the safety of aluminum in vaccines.
Answers the question, can people with yeast allergies get vaccines?
Vaxopedia
Vaccine labels must contain all ingredients and all ingredients must be tested before approved.
Videos
Is the Aluminum in Vaccines Safe?
From the Vaccine Education Center (VEC), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Paul A. Offit discusses why aluminum is in vaccines and the safety of those small amounts.
Vaccine Questions?
Email CDC at nipinfo@cdc.gov