By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Vaccines are among the most closely studied medical interventions in the world, according to Dr. Michael Saag, a professor of medicine and infectious disease expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). In a recent discussion, Saag broke down the vaccine approval process, emphasizing why Americans can trust in both their safety and effectiveness.
“There is a lot of misinformation out there, but the truth is vaccines go through one of the most rigorous approval processes of any medical product,” Saag explained. “By the time a vaccine is available to the public, it has been tested in tens of thousands of people, reviewed by independent experts, and continuously monitored for safety.”
How the Process Works
Dr. Saag outlined the multi-step pathway for vaccine approval:
1. Preclinical Research — Scientists test potential vaccines in labs and animal studies to identify promising candidates.
2. Clinical Trials — Conducted in three phases, trials move from small safety studies to large-scale tests involving tens of thousands of volunteers. These trials examine effectiveness, side effects, and long-term safety.
3. FDA Review & Approval — The Food and Drug Administration carefully reviews all trial data, often with input from independent advisory panels.
4. Ongoing Monitoring — Even after approval, vaccines remain under constant surveillance through systems like VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) to track rare side effects.
Why It Matters
Saag stressed that this thorough oversight is why vaccines have such a strong track record. “Vaccines not only protect individuals but also safeguard entire communities,” he said. “Their safety and effectiveness are the reason we’ve been able to eliminate or control diseases like polio, measles, and more recently, COVID-19.”
For Saag, the message is simple: vaccines are one of the most reliable ways to protect health and save lives.