Vaughan did not play in England's early matches of the triangular one-day series with Australia and Sri Lanka but centuries in the second and fourth Ashes tests saw him force his way into the squad.
Allrounder Andy Flintoff and spin bowler Ashley Giles were also included in the squad despite being sent home from Australia with injuries.
England have been crippled by injuries in recent months but chairman of selectors David Graveney said he was pleased with the final team selection.
"I am satisfied that the players selected in this squad represent the best mix of experience and youth that England has available to it," Graveney said in a statement.
"The unavailability of several key players for various reasons over recent months has given us the opportunity to bring in a number of young players into our plans.
"Several of these players have responded extremely well to the challenge and we have had no hesitation in including them in the squad."
England have been drawn in pool A at the World Cup alongside Australia, Pakistan, India, Zimbabwe, Namibia and the Netherlands.
Their first scheduled pool match is against Zimbabwe in Harare on February 13.
England squad: Nasser Hussain (captain), James Anderson, Ian Blackwell, Andrew Caddick, Paul Collingwood, Andy Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Ronnie Irani, Nick Knight, Alec Stewart, Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Craig White.
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