Guide hub
Vaccines — how they work, the schedules, and the official sources
Vaccines in plain language — how they work, the schedules, and the official sources.
Published 7 November 2026 · Last reviewed 7 November 2026 · Next review 7 May 2027
Direct answer: Vaccines, in plain language: how they work, what the schedules say at each age, and the official sources behind every figure. Official sources only — this hub does not build a personal schedule and does not advise what any individual should take or when.
Chapter 1
Vaccines — official information only
Vaccination is a way of protecting against harmful diseases before contact, by training the immune system.
Official information only
This site gives official information only: what vaccination is, and where to find your country’s official schedule. It does not build a personal schedule and does not advise what any individual should take or when.
The guides and tools
Read the full guide: How vaccines work: official information, and the Batch 2 guides Vaccinations through life, Adult vaccinations: CDC vs WHO, How many children are vaccinated?, Measles, HPV, flu, COVID-19 and hepatitis B and Travel vaccinations. Use the Vaccination Directory by Country for the official sources by country, Vaccination Schedules and Data for the schedules and data sources themselves, and the WHO Immunization Data Portal for coverage data.
Directory
All guides and tools in this hub
Every guide and tool in this hub, in one filterable list.
How vaccines work: official information
How vaccines work, from official information only: how vaccines are tested, what global coverage looks like, and where to find your country's schedule.
Published 6 November 2026 · Last reviewed 7 November 2026 · Next review 7 May 2027
Vaccination Directory by Country
A directory of official sources only.
Child immunisation: the global schedule
What the WHO routine schedule covers for children, from birth to adolescence — and the 2025 coverage figures, in plain language.
Published 6 November 2026 · Last reviewed 7 November 2026 · Next review 7 May 2027
Adult vaccinations: CDC vs WHO
What the CDC adult immunisation schedule lists for the United States in 2025, and how it differs from the WHO global schedule — with the court-stay note that keeps it current.
Published 6 November 2026 · Last reviewed 7 November 2026 · Next review 7 May 2027
How many children are vaccinated?
Global vaccination coverage in 2025, from the WHO/UNICEF estimates released 15 July 2026: 90% first DTP dose, 85% full course, and 13.5 million children with no dose at all.
Published 6 November 2026 · Last reviewed 7 November 2026 · Next review 7 May 2027
Vaccinations through life
What the WHO routine immunisation schedule covers, from birth to older age — the December 2025 summary in plain language. A global framework, not a personal schedule.
Published 6 November 2026 · Last reviewed 7 November 2026 · Next review 7 May 2027
Vaccination Schedules and Data
The official sources behind the vaccination guides: WHO and CDC schedules, global coverage data, and the fact sheets.
Published 7 November 2026 · Last reviewed 7 November 2026
More hubs
Explore other themes
Diseases and Outbreaks
Outbreaks and diseases in plain language — what is happening, what it means, and where the official figures sit.
Life Course
Health from birth to older age — pregnancy, childhood, and ageing well.
Awareness and Attitudes
Stigma, health literacy, skin health and awareness days.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental health in plain language — understanding, support routes, and tackling stigma.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can this hub tell me which vaccines I need?
No. It lists official sources and explains the schedules; personal questions go to a qualified health professional.
Where are the official schedules?
See the Vaccination Schedules and Data tool — WHO and CDC schedules, global coverage data, and the fact sheets, each with its last-checked date.
Where are the official sources by country?
See the Vaccination Directory by Country — one official source per country.