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First Time Visitor?

At a glance: 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. 

 


  1. I am new to the site, where do I start?

The best place to begin is at the NIP home page. This page (and each audience-type home page) is organized as follows:


Follow these suggestions to navigate throughout the site:

first step First, select the tab (see figure 1) that would most closely match the type of information or audience you are searching for: public/parents, healthcare professionals, partners, media, or Spanish-language only. Notice the travelers information can be found via the Travelers link in the header.shows NIP website's header's tabs figure 1

second step Then, select from the topics on that home page (see figure 2).
displays how the major topics links can be found on the home pages
figure 2

Notice that on the major topics' pages, information is flagged with a symbol for the type of audience it serves best (see figure 3):
defines key symbols on major topic pages figure 3

step 3Directly under the major topics links on each home page is a "Topics Below" listing of links (figure 4). These links are specific to each audience type (the example below is from the Partners page). Clicking each link directs you further down the page to that link's section, under which you'll find more links to important information related to that section.topics on Partners home page
figure 4

step 3There are also a few pages that can help you find what you are looking for on the NIP website:

  • NIP website site map - concise listing of the NIP website content.
  • Search tools - use the basic search for simple keyword searches, or the advanced search to also search specific file types (HTML, PDF, MS Word, etc.), sort the results, specify the number of results per page, etc.
  1. What information is available on the NIP website?

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  1. 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.

  1. 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. Each 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.

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  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  • Calendar for vaccine and immunization-related upcoming events
  • Help - Contains instructions on how to capture pictures, making the NIP your default home web page, NIP's site map, etc. The Help feature is always available via the Help link in the header of 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 home page (via the Partners tab located on top of the home page).
  • News - Features news stories on immunization topics.
  • Search for keywords, or use the advanced search options form. 

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  1. 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.

  1. 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 at the top of the home page. Information from other organizations can also be accessed from the left navigation bar by clicking Links to other websites.

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  1. 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 nip...@cdc.gov or use the following form.

  1. 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.

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  1. Where can I find immunization coverage data?

Click on Data and Statistics located on the NIP website's left navigation bar to view several sources of immunization coverage data. Or, select National Immunization Survey from the Media tab for immunization coverage data in the United States--updated twice a year.

  1. 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 FAQs page. Links to each of these topics are also on the public home page under the category "Frequently Asked For," and via the Frequently Asked For major topic (in the turquoise bar on the home page).

 

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This page last modified on January 23, 2006

   

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