Patient Education

At a Glance

On this page you will find a variety of educational information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent. For each vaccine, you can access information about who should receive the vaccine, when it should be administered, and what patients or parents should know about it. Immunization providers can also find more general information on vaccine administration as well as tips on how to talk to your patients about vaccines and address their concerns.

Resources are available in various formats—flyers, fact sheets, posters, videos, web buttons—and includes links to other useful websites. CDC materials can be downloaded, copied, and distributed to patients. Some items can be ordered through an online ordering system.

Immunization educational materials are intended to complement personal education and advice from the healthcare provider. Informed patients, working together with their healthcare providers, are the key players in keeping themselves and their children healthy and protecting the health of the public.

Materials That Can be Used to Educate Patients

• Diseases & the vaccines that prevent them - fact sheet series
  (Basic and in-depth disease fact sheets that describe symptoms of infection as well as benefits and risks of vaccination)
• Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
• How to hold your child during vaccinations
• Tips for a less stressful shot visit
• Parent-friendly schedule of recommended immunizations for children birth through 6 years old [2 pages]
• Parent-friendly schedule of recommended immunizations for children 7 through 18 years old [2 pages]
• Parents' Guide to Childhood Immunization (also, can order free copies)
• Seasonal flu print materials (flyers, posters, buttons...) (updated regularly)
• Also see Vaccination materials in Spanish

 

Links to Resources/Websites Providers Can Refer Patients to for Their Own Use

• For parents: Vaccines for your children
• "How to evaluate materials on the web" guidelines, that could be given to every patient referred to the web.
• By vaccine - materials for patients
• Materials from CHPVEC (The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center)
  Complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines for parents and healthcare professionals. Also available: videos, info tear sheets, and info on every vaccine.

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Answers to Patients' Frequently Asked Questions

• Provider resources for vaccine conversations with parents
  Materials that help you assess parents' needs, identify the role they want to play in making decisions for their child’s health, and then communicate in ways that meet their needs. These resources are collectively called Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents.
  • Talking about vaccination
    Strengthen communication and trust between you and parents with these resources
  • Understanding vaccines and vaccine safety
    Fact sheets provide information about vaccine testing, safety, monitoring, and the process for establishing the U.S. immunization schedule.
• Responding to concerns about vaccines
  Immunization Action Coalition

 

Printable Flyers That Answer Patients' Questions

For Parents of Infants and Toddlers

• Talking with parents about vaccines for infants
• Infant immunizations FAQs Updated Feb 2012
• Vaccine Safety:
  • If you choose not to vaccinate your child, understand the risks and responsibilities
  • Understanding MMR vaccine safety
  • Understanding how vaccines work
  • Vaccine safety for parents

For Parents of Preteens and Teens

• Print Materials
• Video & Audio Resources
• Q&As about preteen vaccines
• Q&As about HPV vaccine safety

For Pregnant Women

• Pregnancy and Vaccination [2 pages]
• Immunization and Pregnancy Vaccine Chart [1 page]
• What You Need to Know about Pregnancy and Vaccines [1 page]
• Other Resources

For College Students, Young Adults, and Adults

• Q&As about HPV vaccine safety
• Common Questions about HPV & Cervical Cancer for Women who Have HPV [2 pages]
• Resources for educating adult patients
  Includes materials for older adults, adults with special medical conditions.
• Pregnancy and Vaccination [2 pages]
• Immunization and Pregnancy Vaccine Chart [1 page]

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