CDC National Immunization Information Hotline
(NIIH) Whether you are a parent, doctor, or just interested in vaccine information, NIIH is the place for the most up-to-date immunization information, including vaccine schedules, side effects, contraindications, recommendations and more. NIIH provides provides free publications and referrals to many immunization resources such as clinics, coalitions, local and state programs, drug companies and many others.

Best of all, this is not an automated line. Live, trained specialists provide individualized attention. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, Eastern time. Service is provided in English and Spanish.

Hotline telephone numbers:

• English - (800) - 232- 2522
• Spanish - (800) – 232 - 0233

Fact Sheets About Immunization
The National Coalition on Adult Immunization has prepared a series of Fact Sheets about adult immunization.  Links to these pages are shown below.

Facts About Adult Immunization

Facts About Influenza for Adults

Facts About Pneumococcal Disease for Adults  

Questions and answers about influenza and pneumococcal disease
Questions and answers on influenza and pneumococcal disease are available from the Immunization Action Coalition. These questions and answers were prepared by:

William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH
Medical epidemiologist
National Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Click here to view text of questions and answers on influenza and pneumococcal disease

Vaccine Information Statements
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prepared a series of Vaccine Information Statements with a brief overview of each of the vaccines shown below. 

The statements shown below can be downloaded here in Adobe Acrobat format. The Adobe Acrobat reader software is needed to view these documents after downloading. To obtain this free software, go to the Adobe Acrobat web site.

Influenza Vaccine Information Statement  

Pneumococcal Vaccine Information Statement  

Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine Information Statement 

Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Statement 

Vaccine Information Statements are available for a variety of other immunizations, including some in languages other than English.  For a comprehensive listing of Vaccine Information Statements, in up to 22 different languages, go to the Immunization Action Coalition web site.

"How the FDA works to Ensure Vaccine Safety"
This is an informative article in lay language outlining the steps followed by the Food and Drug Administration in licensing vaccines.

Reporting Adverse Events from Vaccines
The Food and Drug Administration maintains an adverse event reporting program for vaccines, called VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System).  Health professionals and consumers are encouraged to report significant adverse effects from vaccines to the FDA. The telephone number for the VAERS program is: 800-822-7967. A VAERS reporting form can be downloaded here in Adobe Acrobat format, and faxed or mailed to the VAERS office. To go the the VAERS web site.

More Immunization Resources

CDC Educational Flyers on Flu Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created educational flyers promoting educational messages on influenza during the season. The flyers can be downloaded or printed from:

http://www.aphanet.org/pharmcare/yourFlushot.pdf

http://www.aphanet.org/pharmcare/sendholiday.pdf

http://www.aphanet.org/pharmcare/whichpeople.pdf

California Medical Review, Inc.
Multilingual provider tools and materials available for health care professionals at no charge can be found in this web site. These include the "LifeSavers for Seniors" charts, postcards, patient education brochures, posters for clinical settings, and wallet-size vaccination records to help older patients to keep track of their shots.

NIH Online Vaccine Resource
This is a booklet publication available for downloading in a camera-ready PDF format. It includes discussions on vaccines and their benefits, the immune system, different types of vaccines, vaccine development and testing, and a glossary of common immunization terms.

Canadian Immunization Awareness Program
This web site provides immunization resources for consumers and healthcare professionals, including easy-to-understand information about vaccines and vaccines safety.

Travelers Health – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a web site for those who are considering or planning travel outside the United States. This site includes guidance on immunizations and other health precautions that may be needed for travel to other countries.

Personal Prevention Charts
This Adobe Acrobat file provides a personal health tracking chart that includes a place to record immunizations for future reference. This chart was developed by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (formerly the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research).

Links to Immunization Sites
This page has links to a wide variety of web sites with a wealth of immunization information.