Vaccine Safety
What to Know
We urgently encourage every resident of Marion County to get the vaccines recommended for their age, status and occupation.
Vaccines are rigorously tested for safety, providing effective protection against severe illnesses with only rare, serious adverse events. They undergo years of study before approval and continue to be monitored through systems like the CDC's VAERS and FDA's BEST. Common side effects are generally mild, such as soreness or fever, and resolve in a few days.
Vaccine ingredients (like preservatives or adjuvants) are safe in small amounts, and used to ensure the vaccine works effectively. Learn more about ingredients below.
Connect With UsVaccine Ingredients
- Aluminum is used in vaccines as an adjuvant. An adjuvant is a vaccine component that boosts the immune response to the vaccine. Adjuvants allow for lesser quantities of the vaccine and fewer doses.
- The aluminum contained in vaccines is similar to that found in a liter (about 1 quart or 32 fluid ounces) of infant formula.
- Given the quantities of aluminum we are exposed to on a daily basis, the quantity of aluminum in vaccines is miniscule.
- Formaldehyde is essential in human metabolism and is required for the synthesis of DNA and amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Therefore, all humans have detectable quantities of natural formaldehyde in their circulation.
- The amount of formaldehyde in vaccines is minimal
- Formaldehyde is used in vaccines during the manufacturing process to kill viruses and bacteria and to detoxify bacterial toxins making vaccines safe.
- Thimerosal was a preservative used in vaccines to prevent bacterial growth. It was commonly used in multi-dose vials to prevent contamination with repeated puncturing of the vial.
- Several studies have proven no link between this preservative and autism, which is a common myth associated with vaccines.
- No vaccines administered per the current childhood vaccine schedule contain thimerosal. Single dose syringes and vials are now used, and there is no longer a need for this preservative.
For more information visit https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-safety/vaccine-ingredients
Vaccines have been wrongly linked to several diseases that often have no known cause. While this association provides a possible explanation to parents for their children’s disease, it is a false association, and studies have repeatedly shown no link to vaccines for diseases like autism, ADHD and allergies and arthritis.
For more information visit https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-safety/vaccines-and-other-conditions
Our Directive
To reassure the residents of Marion County about the safety and effectiveness of important vaccines which protect individuals and families in our community.