Purpose
Vaccine ingredient lists can be scary and hard to read, and scientific terminology can be hard to understand.
Know Your Vaccines explains the ingredients in each vaccine and puts them in context so that anyone can understand them without a science background.
I hope that this resource will give you information to help you make informed decisions about your healthcare, gain a greater understanding of vaccines, or just teach you something new.
I believe that everyone should have access to information related to their health, and it is important that the information is meant for everyone, not just doctors and scientists. I strived to create a resource that does not require any scientific or medical background.
Some relevant scientific terms are defined under Definitions and Unit Conversions
About Me
My name is Samantha Ratner, and I am a medical student at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
I graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Health, and Society.
In addition, I received highest honors for my undergraduate thesis about my research on Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes pneumococcal disease.
I am also the head of the Student Vaccine Working Group on Ethics and Policy.
I have always been passionate about vaccines and health literacy. I hope that this resource makes vaccine ingredients more approachable.
Last updated: Jan. 7, 2023