Vaccination benefits individuals and communities. When a large percentage of a population is vaccinated, the entire community (vaccinated and unvaccinated) receives greater protection from vaccine-preventable diseases. This concept, known as herd immunity, guides our country’s mandatory vaccination policies. By following the recommended schedule and fully immunizing children on time, parents protect their children against 14 diseases and help protect everyone their children interact with. When a high enough percentage of children are vaccinated, outbreaks can also be prevented.