Are vaccines tested for safety and efficacy?

Vaccines undergo rigorous testing for safety and efficacy before being approved for public use. This process is crucial to ensure that vaccines are safe and effective in preventing diseases.

Vaccine Testing Process

The testing of vaccines includes preclinical studies, clinical trials, and post-marketing surveillance to assess their safety and efficacy.

Preclinical Studies

Before vaccines are tested on humans, they undergo preclinical studies in laboratories and on animals to evaluate their safety and potential effectiveness.

Clinical Trials

Once the preclinical studies are completed, vaccines move on to clinical trials. These trials involve testing the vaccines on human volunteers to assess their safety, efficacy, and optimal dosage.

Post-Marketing Surveillance

Even after a vaccine is approved and in use, post-marketing surveillance continues to monitor its safety and effectiveness in real-world settings.

By ensuring that vaccines meet strict standards for quality and effectiveness, public health authorities can confidently incorporate them into immunization programs, helping to protect individuals and communities from serious illnesses.