What do vaccines do for me?

Vaccines protect you, and some vaccines also protect those in contact with you, from infectious diseases and their consequences (illness, death and disability). They do this by preparing your body’s immune system to be more effective in defending itself when it is later exposed to the natural infection.

Watch a video explaining how vaccines work

Explore childhood immunisation resources for parents or read a factsheet on the immune system.

Learn more about key medical terms used in discussing vaccination and about diseases.