Vaccine Information Sources
General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization
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In addition to these general recommendations, the following sources contain specific and updated vaccine information.
- CDC-INFO Contact Center
The CDC-INFO contact center is supported by CDC and provides public health-related information, including vaccination information, for health-care providers and the public, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact CDC-INFO online at any time. To contact CDC-INFO by telephone, call between 8 am to 8 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday at [English and Spanish]: 800-232-4636; telephone [TTY]: 800-232-6348. - CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases website provides direct access to ACIP’s best practices for vaccination guidance, vaccination schedules, automated child schedulers, an adult immunization scheduler, vaccine safety information, publications, provider education and training, and links to other vaccination-related websites. - Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
Some ACIP guidance regarding vaccine use, statements of vaccine policy as they are developed, and reports of specific disease activity are published by CDC in the MMWR series. Electronic subscriptions are free. Subscriptions to print versions also are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402-9235 (telephone: 202-512-1800). - American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
Information from the professional organization of family physicians is available. - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Every 3 years, AAP issues the Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, which contains a composite summary of AAP and ACIP recommendations concerning infectious diseases and vaccinations for infants, children, and adolescents (telephone: 888-227-1770; website). - American College of Physicians (ACP)
Produced by faculty of ACP’s Quality Improvement Programs and members of the ACP Adult Immunization Advisory Board, the ACP Guide to Adult Immunization helps internists develop systematic processes for incorporating immunization in their day-to-day practice. - American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), formerly the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, is a professional association of physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States. Information about ACOG. - American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
Founded in 1852, APhA is the largest association of pharmacists in the United States, with more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians as members. Information about APhA educational activities. - Group on Immunization Education of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine
The Group on Immunization Education of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine provides information for clinicians, including the free program Shots. Shots includes the childhood, adolescent, and adult schedules for iPhone, Palm, and Windows devices, as well as online versions. - Immunization Action Coalition (IAC)
IAC provides child, teen, and adult immunization information for health care professionals and their patients. Free materials include CDC-reviewed technical pieces, patient handouts, VISs in multiple languages, and the weekly immunization news and information service “IAC Express”. Information for the general public about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases is available. - Institute for Vaccine Safety
Located at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, the Institute for Vaccine Safety provides information about vaccine safety concerns and objective and timely information to physicians and health-care providers and parents. The Institute for Vaccine Safety also includes links to tables that include all vaccine components. - State and Local Health Departments
State and local health departments provide technical advice through hotlines, e-mail, and websites, including printed information regarding vaccines and immunization schedules, posters, and other educational materials. - Vaccine Education Center
Located at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Vaccine Education Center provides patient and provider vaccine information.