Many federal agencies play a role in the vaccine system. Visit these websites to get in-depth information about vaccine topics.
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) saves lives and protects America against 21st century health threats. Within ASPR, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) partners with the private sector to research and develop medical countermeasures — such as vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and devices — and purchase medical products for use in emergencies.
Learn more from the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) develops the vaccine schedules, monitors and responds to disease outbreaks, and does vaccine safety research.
Learn more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DoD) supports vaccination programs for people in the military and their families.
Learn more from the Department of Defense.
Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has resources for Veterans and their families, including information on vaccines and VA benefits.
Learn more from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a science-based regulatory agency that’s responsible for protecting and enhancing public health by ensuring the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. FDA ensures that vaccines undergo a rigorous and extensive development program to evaluate safety, purity, and potency. Only if a vaccine’s benefits are found to outweigh its potential risks does the FDA license (approve) a vaccine, allowing it to be used by the public. To ensure continuing safety and effectiveness after approval, FDA oversees the production of vaccines and monitors vaccine safety.
Learn more from the Food and Drug Administration.
MyHealthfinder
MyHealthfinder has tools and resources to help people access preventive services and develop healthy habits. MyHealthfinder’s vaccine topics provide information about vaccine-preventable diseases, and how and when to get vaccines.
Learn more from MyHealthfinder.
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) researches new vaccines and evaluates existing vaccines.
Learn more from the National Institutes of Health.
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) may provide financial compensation (payment) to people found to be injured by certain vaccines.
Learn more from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy
The Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy oversees the National Vaccine Program which makes sure that all federal agencies that produce and regulate vaccines are working together. This work also includes the National Vaccine Plan — which sets goals for preventing diseases through vaccination.
