Safety: Absence of harmful side effects resulting from the use of the product/vaccine
Efficacy: the maximum ability of a vaccine to produce effects or the intended result
Vaccines have to be held to the highest standard of safety. Prior to their approval by the health authorities, our vaccines are tested extensively to ensure they are effective and safe. Once in use, they are also continually monitored for safety through our pharmacovigilance system.
Sanofi pasteur commits itself to make available everywhere in the world the safest and more effective vaccines possible, developed, manufactured and distributed in a manner that respects both regulatory requirements and our Values
Institute for Vaccine Safety - Johns Hopkins University
CDC National Immunization Program subsite on vaccine safety
CDC National Immunization Program; discusses safety of vaccines containing thimerosal
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research subsite - discusses the use of vaccines manufactured with bovine-derived materials
World Health Organization
Institute of Medicine
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) subsite on vaccines and diabetes
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Institute of Medicine - Immunization Safety Review
Institute of Medicine - Immunization Safety Review: Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine and Autism
Health Canada