Welcome to the Vaccines and Immunizations website.
Skip directly to the search box, site navigation, or content.

Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Vaccines & Immunizations

First Time Visitor?

On this page you will find information on how to navigate the NIP website.

If you have specific questions such as where to find immunization information, how to order NIP publications, how to obtain immunization records, etc., please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.

What information is available on the NIP website?
Is the NIP website information credible

Yes, the NIP website information is credible. The NIP website is produced by the National Immunization Program (NIP), the Federal Government's principal agency for immunization research and a component of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

And, how do I know if the vaccine information I find on the Internet is accurate?

First, consider the source of information. A good health website will display who is responsible for the content of the site. Also look for a way to contact the information provider or Webmaster. Health information should be accurate and unbiased, and information should not be slanted in favor of a website's sponsor or source of funding. The Evaluating information on the web page provides additional information and suggests questions to ask to determine the accuracy of website information.

How frequently is the NIP website updated?

The NIP website information is reviewed regularly for currency and is updated at least weekly to include the latest facts. The home page spotlights recently published items at the top of the page. Be sure to visit the site often to get the latest immunization information. Most pages are reviewed yearly.

top of page

How can I continue to get up-to-date immunization information?

Return to the the NIP website site frequently, because the content changes often to mirror the changes and advances in immunization research. Be sure to check the Spotlight area for the latest topics and the News page for recent immunization articles, and sign up for free newsletters on the NIP website.

What features should every user know about?
  • Acronyms and abbreviations found throughout the site are spelled out. Also offered is a Glossary of immunization terms which defines medical terms. Both these features are available via the left navigation bar of every page on the site.
  • Events for vaccine and immunization-related upcoming events
  • Help - Contains instructions on how to capture pictures, making the Vaccines & Immunization site your default home web page, site map, etc. The Help feature is always available via the Help link in the right column on all pages.
  • Links to related websites - A list of websites containing immunization-related information (via the link on the left navigation bar). Many more are also listed on the Partners page
  • News - Features news stories on immunization topics.
  • Search for keywords using the Search box located in the header of every page

top of page

What if there are medical terms I don't understand?

Use the NIP website's Glossary of Immunization Terms, which contains definitions of medical terms along with the phonetic spelling for most terms. A link to the Glossary is located in the left navigation bar and at the bottom of every page.

Are there other ways to access immunization information?

You can learn how to get NIP immunization information by phone, fax, email, and mail by using the Contact Us link in the left navigation column of every page. Information from other organizations can also be accessed from the left navigation column by clicking Links to Related Sites

What if I can't find the information I'm looking for?
  • If you can't locate the immunization information you need, call the CDC-INFO Contact Center.
    English and Spanish  
    (800) 232-4636
    (800) CDC-INFO
  • If you have technical or navigational difficulties using this site, contact your Internet provider and/or technical support staff.

  • If you are still experiencing difficulty with the NIP website, send a message to our Webmaster at ncirdwebteam@cdc.gov or use the following form.

How do I order NIP publications?
  • Click on Online order form. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.
  • Call the CDC-INFO Contact Center at 
    (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636.
  • Further details on publications are available via the Publications page.

top of page

Where can I find immunization coverage data?

Click on Statistics and Surveillance link located on the home page to view several sources of immunization coverage data and the national immunization survey (updated twice a year.)

Where can I find vaccine recommendations for travel, state requirements, and my immunization records?

You can find information on locating immunization records on our Immunization Records page. It is available via the Vaccination Records link on the home page.

top of page

This page last modified on March 9, 2007
Content last reviewed on March 9, 2007
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

Quick Links

Safer Healthier People

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A
Public Inquiries: 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636); 1-888-232-6348 (TTY)

Vaccines and Immunizations