Vaccines are incredibly effective- maybe one of the most effective medicines that science has ever created.

Listen to understand what you need to know about how to make the right decisions for you and your family.

Disclosure: This episode was made using AI to generate the podcast hosts. All other steps; gather the information, reviewing information for accuracy, reviewing the script and post-production were performed by a scientist.

Vaccines offer profound health and economic benefits for individuals and communities. Globally, vaccines have saved an estimated 150 million children over the last 50 years, notably reducing infant mortality by 40%. Measles vaccination alone averted over 60 million deaths from 2000-2023.

For young adults, staying current with immunizations is vital for maintaining personal health and independence, preventing dangerous diseases and their severe complications like brain damage or death.

Vaccination also protects vulnerable individuals who cannot be immunized, fostering community immunity.Economically, routine childhood immunizations in the U.S. for those born 1994-2023 are projected to prevent 508 million illnesses and 1.1 million deaths, leading to net societal savings of $2.7 trillion—an estimated $11 saved for every $1 invested. Beyond direct prevention, vaccines contribute to improved cognition and school attainment, enhancing long-term economic productivity. Emerging evidence also suggests certain vaccines, like the shingles vaccine, may reduce dementia risk.