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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Vaccines & Immunizations

Publications:

Vaccine Information Statements

Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) are information sheets produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that explain to vaccine recipients, their parents, or their legal representatives both the benefits and risks of a vaccine. Federal lawAdobe Acrobat print-friendly PDF file External Web Site Policyrequires that VISs be handed out whenever (before each dose) certain vaccinations are given.

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Downloadable VISs

Multiple Vaccines

Multiple Vaccines     (9/18/08)

This VIS may be used as an optional substitute for any or all of the routine birth-6 month vaccine VISs. (DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV, Hepatitis B, and Rotavirus) See VIS News.

Adenovirus  VIS

Adenovirus     (7/14/11)

Note: Adenovirus vaccine is approved for use only among military personnel.

Anthrax VIS

Anthrax     (3/10/10)

DTaP VIS

Diphtheria/ Tetanus/Pertussis (DTaP)      (5/17/07)

Hepatitis A VIS

Hepatitis A     (10/25/11)

Hepatitis B VIS

Hepatitis B     (2/2/12)

Haemophilus Influenza type b (Hib) VIS

Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae type b)     (12/16/98)

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) VIS

HPV (Human Papillomavirus Vaccine)     (2/22/12)

Live, Intranasal Influenza Vaccine VIS

Influenza Vaccine - Live, Intranasal    (7/26/11)

Inactivated Influenza Vaccine VIS

Influenza Vaccine - Inactivated   (7/26/11)

[NOTE: Monovalent 2009 H1N1 vaccines have expired. VISs for these vaccines are no longer available.]

Japanese Encephalitis VIS

Japanese Encephalitis   (12/7/11) 

Note: JE-VAX vaccine for children is no longer available (May 2011)

Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) VIS

Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR)    (4/20/12) updated

Measles/Mumps/Rubella & Varicella (MMRV) VIS

Measles/Mumps/Rubella & Varicella (MMRV)   (5/21/10)

meningococcal VIS

Meningococcal     (10/14/11)

Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV7) VIS

Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV13)    (4/16/10)

  • PCV13 Adobe Acrobat print-friendly PDF file [PDF-54KB] (4/16/10)
  • PCV7 Adobe Acrobat print-friendly PDF file [PDF-59KB] (12/9/08)
    Use until supply of vaccine is exhausted
  • Other languagesExternal Web Site Policy*
    (including Spanish)
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPV23) VIS

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPSV23)    (10/06/09)

Polio VIS

Polio     (11/08/11) 

Rabies VIS

Rabies     (10/06/09)

Rotavirus VIS

Rotavirus     (12/06/10)

Shingles VIS

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)     (10/06/09)

Smallpox (Vaccina) VIS

Smallpox (Vaccinia)    (8/31/07)

This medication guide replaces the Smallpox VIS. It is to be used before one receives the vaccination.
Medical Guide for vaccination with ACAM2000 Adobe Acrobat print-friendly PDF file [PDF-227KB]

This guide is not available in other languages.

Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td) VIS

Tetanus/Diphtheria/(Pertussis) (Td/Tdap)    (1/24/12)

Typhoid VIS

Typhoid    (5/29/12) updated

Varicella (Chickenpox) VIS

Varicella (Chickenpox)     (3/13/08)

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever     (03/30/11)

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Download Instructions

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Important Info

  • For more information on VISs, including frequently-asked questions, see these
    VIS Facts
    .
  • All VISs on this page are current.
    A VIS with a date several years old is not necessarily out of date. VISs are not updated annually or on any other routine schedule. An updated VIS with a new date is posted when there is a change in recommendations.
  • New Hotline Number on VISs
    On March 15, 2005, the telephone number for the national immunization hotline changed. VISs posted on this web page contain the new number in the "How can I learn more?" section.

    Please replace your camera-ready copies of VISs with these new versions before reprinting.

Note: You do not need to discard your existing VIS stocks; calls made to the old hotline number will be forwarded to the new number. VIS dates have not changed. The new phone number is the only difference between the old VISs and the new ones.

Combination Vaccines:

If there is no VIS for a non-routine combination vaccine (e.g., Pediarix, Comvax, Twinrix), use the VISs for all component vaccines.

*VISs in other languages:

Download these Vaccine Information Statements in over 20 languages through our partner, the Immunization Action CoalitionExternal Web Site Policy (IAC). Foreign language translations of Vaccine Information Statements are coordinated by the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) through a cooperative agreement with CDC.


Vaccine Information Statements
The National Childhood Vaccine Injury (NCVI) Act requires that all health-care providers give parents or patients copies of Vaccine Information Statements before administering each dose of the vaccines listed in the schedule. Additional information is available from state health departments.

Detailed recommendations for using vaccines are available from the manufacturers' package inserts, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) statements on specific vaccines, and the 2003 American Academy of Pediatrics Red Book. ACIP statements for all recommended childhood vaccines can be viewed, downloaded, and printed on this web site.

Consult the VAERS site for guidance on how to obtain and complete a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting SystemExternal Web Site Policy (VAERS) form or call 800-822-7967.

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This page last modified on May 31, 2012
Content last reviewed on December 14, 2010
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases


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Vaccines and Immunizations