Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.

War Related Illness and Injury Study Center

Menu
Menu
Quick Links
Veterans Crisis Line Badge
My healthevet badge
 

Multiple Vaccinations

Multiple Vaccinations

More Information

Service members may receive multiple vaccinations as they prepare for deployment. Some vaccinations are given routinely while other vaccinations are given to protect against specific diseases when service members are deployed to high risk areas. Some Veterans have health concerns about receiving multiple vaccinations at one time.

Research has shown that vaccines are very effective in protecting people against certain diseases. A number of studies have examined the effects of giving various combinations of vaccines simultaneously. These studies have shown that the recommended vaccines are as effective in combination as they are individually, and that such combinations carry no greater risk for adverse side effects.

In 2000, the Institute of Medicine examined the issue of multiple vaccinations, and concluded that multiple vaccinations did not increase the risk of getting certain diseases or infections in children. Currently, there are no studies that show that multiple vaccinations result in any type of illnesses or symptoms among service members. However, one of the research difficulties is the lack of detailed information about which service members received which vaccines in which time sequence. As a result, more research is needed.

If you are concerned about possible health effects related to multiple vaccinations, the Department of Defense has a Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network * to address these health concerns.

Disclaimer

*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.