Reliable Sources of Immunization Information
Where parents and providers can go to find answers!
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Reliable Sources of Immunization Information (PDF:131KB/2 pages)
On this page:
Websites
Phone Numbers
Publications
Videos
Websites
- Vaccines.gov - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Consumer-focused immunization website providing easy-to-understand health information to help make informed decisions about immunizations. The content is managed by HHS, but the site is done in collaboration with other government agencies such as CDC and FDA. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Provides facts about each childhood vaccine as well as how vaccines are made, how and why vaccines work, who recommends them, and more. This site notes that it receives no funding from pharmaceutical companies. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- National Network for Immunization
Information (NNii)
Provides current, science-based, extensively reviewed information to health professionals, the media, policy makers, and the public. This site notes that it receives no funding from pharmaceutical companies. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC)
National Center for Immunization
Provides immunization information about vaccine-preventable diseases, the benefits of immunization, and the risk of immunization versus the risk of disease, as well as educational materials and resources. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- For Parents: Vaccines for Your Children - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Provides immunization information specifically for parents. The information can be viewed based on your child's age. There are also links to parent-friendly immunization schedules and fact sheets about diseases and the vaccines that prevent them. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- American Academy of Pediatrics
Immunization Initiatives
Provides comprehensive immunization information for parents and health professionals. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- Minnesota Department of
Health (MDH) Immunization Program
Provides information on child, adolescent, adult immunization schedules, policy, laws, and the diseases vaccines prevent. For specific information on vaccine safety, click on the vaccine safety link in the left column.
- Immunization Action Coalition
Offers educational pieces for parents and health professionals including many resources on vaccine safety concerns. Attention: Non-MDH web link
Publications
- Clear Answers & Smart Advice About Your Baby's Shots (PDF: 138KB/6 pages)
By Ari Brown, MD, FAAP. This 6- page publication is available for download. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- Do Vaccines Cause That? A Guide for Evaluating Vaccine Safety Concerns
By Martin G. Meyers, MD, and Diego Pineda. I4PH Press. To purchase this book, visit your local bookstore or the link above. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- Plain
Talk About Childhood Immunizations
An easy-to-read online immunization booklet for parents, available in English and Spanish from Seattle and King Co. Public Health, WA. Order online or by calling the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- Vaccines and Your Child: Separating Fact from Fiction, 2011
By Paul Offit, MD, and Charlotte Moser, Columbia University Press. This book answers questions about the science and safety of modern vaccines. To purchase, visit your local bookstore or Columbia University Press. Attention: Non-MDH web links
- Parent’s
Guide to Childhood Immunizations
A 68-page booklet from CDC's National Center for Immunization. Available in PDF format, call 800-232-4636 for a free hard copy or complete the online order form. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- Vaccine
Information Statements (VISs)
These fact sheets, produced by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain the benefits and risks to vaccine recipients, their parents, or their legal representatives. Federal law requires that VISs be handed out before certain vaccine doses are given. The VISs are also available from your health care provider. Also available in many foreign languages at Immunization Action Coalition Vaccine Information Statements. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- Vaccine
Safety for Parents
A flyer from CDC's National Immunization Program. This flyer gives easy-to-understand explanations of common vaccine safety concerns. Attention: Non-MDH web link
Phone Numbers
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Immunization Information Hotline
A toll-free number for consumers and health professionals who have questions about vaccine-preventable diseases and immunizations.
- 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
(Note: This line is for English and Spanish) - TTY: 1-800-232-6348
- 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
- Minnesota Department of Health Immunization Program
A toll-free number for health care professionals and consumers who have Minnesota-specific immunization questions.
- 1-800-657-3970 or 651-201-5503
Videos
- Vaccines: Separating Fact from Fear
Vaccines and Your Baby
Produced by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. These videos provide answers to parents questions about vaccines. Also available in Spanish. View online or order by calling 215-590-9990. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- Vaccine-Preventable Disease – Family Stories
This website contains short videos about families who were affected by vaccine-preventable diseases, produced by the non-profit organization Pkids. Attention: Non-MDH web link
- Vaccine-Preventable Disease Videos
This website contains a variety of short videos about vaccine-preventable disease. Attention: Non-MDH web link
Adapted from the Immunization Action Coalition
Frequently Requested
VISs
CDC fact sheets on vaccines.
Attention: Non-MDH link
CDC Immunization Home
Attention: Non-MDH link
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
