Growing awareness of the multiplicity of roles for the IL‐1 family in immune regulation has prompted research exploring these cytokines in the context of vaccine‐induced immunity. While tightly regulated, cytokines of the IL‐1 family are normally released in response to cellular stress and in combination with other danger‐/damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), triggering potent local and systemic immune responses. In the context of infection or autoimmunity, engagement of IL‐1 family receptors links robust innate responses to adaptive immunity. Clinical and experimental evidence has revealed that many vaccine adjuvants induce the release of one or multiple IL‐1 family cytokines. The coordinated release of IL‐1 family members in response to adjuvant‐induced damage or cell death may be a determining factor in the transition from local inflammation to the induction of an adaptive response. Here, we analyse the effects of IL‐1 family cytokines on innate and adaptive immunity with a particular emphasis on activation of antigen‐presenting cells and induction of T cell‐mediated immunity, and we address in detail the contribution of these cytokines to the modes of action of vaccine adjuvants including those currently approved for human use.