Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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States and jurisdictions across the United States are using different web-based applications for vaccination clinic management. One of those systems is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vaccine Administration Management System, or VAMS. Contact your health department to find out which vaccination management system they are using for vaccine enrollment and scheduling.

  • If you are not a VAMS enrolled vaccine recipient trying to set up an account or schedule a vaccine appointment, but have questions about the availability of COVID-19 vaccine, whether you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and how to schedule a vaccine appointment in your area, please contact your health department.
  • If you are a VAMS enrolled vaccine recipient and have additional questions, contact your health department, employer, or vaccination provider.
  • If you are a VAMS vaccine provider or employer and you need help with implementing VAMS, contact your VAMS jurisdiction points of contact or VAMS clinic administrator for assistance.
  • If you are a VAMS COVID-19 vaccination clinic and have questions, please contact the VAMS Help Desk via phone or by selecting “Get Help” in the top right header from any page after you have logged into VAMS. The VAMS Help Desk phone number can be found in your VAMS portal.
  • If you are a VAMS jurisdiction point of contact and have questions, please contact the VAMS Help Desk via phone or by selecting “Get Help” in the top right header from any page after you have logged into VAMS. The VAMS Help Desk phone number can be found in your VAMS portal.

General FAQs (All VAMS Users)

States and jurisdictions across the United States are using multiple different web-based applications for vaccination clinic management. Contact your local health department to find out which vaccination management system they are using and when and how you can get vaccinated.

VAMS is a vaccine appointment scheduling system that your health department, employer, or provider may be using to manage vaccine appointments. V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. V-safe will also remind you to get your second COVID-19 vaccine dose if and when you need one.

Account creation

  • Your employer or organization will register you as a user, if they are using the VAMS tool. Only VAMS users can create a VAMS account and use VAMS to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
  • If you are a VAMS user you will get a registration email from VAMS.
  • Search your inbox for an email from vams@cdc.gov.
  • If the email isn’t in your inbox, check your spam folder.
  • Click the link in the email to start your VAMS registration (this step creates your account).
  • If you can’t find the email, contact the employer or organization that registered you.

The registration link does not expire.

  • Search your inbox for an email from vams@cdc.gov.
  • If the email isn’t in your inbox, check your spam folder.
  • If you still can’t find the email, contact your employer or supervisor.

Make sure you are using the link sent to you via email to start the process. If the link is not working, contact your employer or supervisor and they can send you a new registration email.

Make sure you are using the link sent to you via email to start the process. If the link is not working, contact your employer or supervisor and they can send you a new registration email.

Also make sure you are using a supported browser. VAMS works best in the Google Chrome web browser but can be accessed via any browser except Internet Explorer. VAMS also works on Android and iOS mobile devices.

Registration

  • You must activate your account in VAMS to use the system.
  • Search your email account for an email from vams@cdc.gov with a subject line of: “Please register to schedule an appointment.”
  • If this email is not in your inbox, check your junk or spam mail folders. If you still cannot find the email, contact your organization coordinator.
  • Click the registration link in the email. This will take you to the prescreening page.
  • NOTE: The registration link in the email you received is for your registration only—it cannot be used to register someone else. Please do not forward it to anyone because the link will not work for them.

Functionality

VAMS works best in the Google Chrome web browser but can be accessed via any browser except Internet Explorer. VAMS also works on Android and iOS mobile devices.

VAMS is web-based and works on computers, cell phones, and tablets. There is no VAMS smartphone app, but you can access the VAMS website from the internet browser on your cell phone or tablet. VAMS works best in the Google Chrome web browser but can be accessed via any browser except Internet Explorer.

No, VAMS does not integrate with Outlook.

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Role-Specific Support Resources

Select a role below to get a tailored suite of VAMS materials including FAQs and user manuals.

Vaccine Recipients

Clinic Administrator

Third-Party Clinic Administrator

Healthcare Professional

Third-Party Clinic Healthcare Professional

Inventory Manager

Front Desk

Jurisdiction Point of Contact (POC)

Organization Coordinator

Resources for Vaccine Recipients
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Page last reviewed: August 6, 2021
Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases