CRS report via LC – Vaccine Safety in the United States: Overview and Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccines, November 4, 2020: “Widespread immunization efforts have been linked to increased life expectancy and reduced illness. U.S. vaccination programs, headed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), have helped eradicate smallpox and nearly eradicate polio globally, and eliminate several infectious diseases domestically. With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic now causing major health and economic impacts across the world, efforts are underway to make safe and effective vaccines available quickly to help curb spread of the virus…”