Stop sepsis before it starts.
Protect the moments that matter.
Your family is your why.
GET VAXXED.
Did you know that getting vaccinated decreases your chances of getting sepsis? Sepsis is your body’s overreaction to an infection and often results in death.
Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but it can also help keep your family healthy.
Taking a few minutes out of your day to get vaccinated can help you enjoy your life for years to come.
Vaccines can be a powerful tool to protect yourself and others from serious diseases. They work by introducing a weakened or inactive form of a virus or bacteria to your body, allowing your immune system to learn how to recognize and defend against the real germ if you encounter it in the future. How long this protection lasts depends on the vaccine. Some last a long time, like the measles vaccine, and some need to be repeated like the flu vaccine.
Certain vaccines like the one for polio create strong and lasting immune memory after just a few doses, often preventing the disease altogether. Others, like the COVID-19 vaccine, primarily reduce the severity of the illness even if the person becomes infected. This difference depends on the vaccine and the pathogen, affecting how long protection lasts and whether it prevents infection or a serious disease.
Most vaccines work by copying an infection. Others, called Mesenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines don’t use the actual virus or bacteria. Instead, these vaccines instruct your body to make a harmless part of a virus that that your body learns to recognize as the real thing. Your immune system is then ready to fight the virus if you’re exposed to it. This triggers your body’s natural defenses, helping it learn to fight off the disease without the risks of a full-blown infection. This protection is called individual immunity, meaning you are personally protected. The active ingredient in vaccines prompts your immune system to produce antibodies.
Vaccines may contain weakened or killed bacteria or viruses, parts of their surface or genetic material, or treated bacterial toxins. While you might feel tired or uncomfortable for a day or two after getting a vaccine, the protection it provides can be lifesaving. Also, when a large portion of a community gets vaccinated, it becomes difficult for a disease to spread, protecting those who can’t get vaccinated (like newborns or people with certain medical conditions). This is known as herd immunity. Depending on the type of vaccine, multiple doses might be needed to get complete individual and community protection.
Yes! Decades of research and careful testing have shown that vaccines are safe and are one of the best ways to prevent serious illnesses that can make you very sick or even threaten your life. The advantages of getting vaccinated are much greater than the small chances of having mild side effects, like a sore arm or a slight fever.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) share their recommended vaccine schedule on their website. You can also see what the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Center for Disease Prevention (ECDP) recommend. Your healthcare professional can provide specific recommendations for you.
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Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect yourself from infections, and infection prevention is sepsis prevention. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can occur when your body has a severe response to an infection. Getting vaccinated builds your body’s natural defenses, significantly lowering your risk of infection that can lead to sepsis and its potentially deadly consequences.
For example, polio was once a feared disease in the United States, but widespread vaccination has mostly eliminated it. In the 1950s and 1960s, effective polio vaccines significantly reduced the number of polio cases. Although the U.S. has been polio-free since 1979, ongoing vaccination efforts are still important to prevent the disease’s return and protect public health.
Sepsis Alliance provides resources explaining the link between infections and sepsis, and how vaccinations like the flu shot can lower your risk. Explore our fact sheets, videos, and guides to understand the power of vaccines in sepsis prevention and protect your health.
This resource was developed with funding from GSK’s COiMMUNITY grant initiative and executed independently without GSK oversight.
