Education & Training:
Patient Education
On this site 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.
The information is in various printed formats—flyers, booklets, fact sheets, posters—and includes links to other useful websites. CDC materials are not copyrighted and 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.
On This Page:
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 [512KB, 2 pages]
- Parent-friendly schedule of Recommended Immunizations for Children 7 through 18 Years Old [317KB, 2 pages]
- Parents' Guide to Childhood Immunization
- Most publications on the CDC Vaccines & Immunizations site - sorted by type
- Seasonal Flu Print Materials (flyers, posters, buttons...) (updated regularly)
- Adult Pneumococcal patient education (brochure, card...)
(Available in English and Spanish) - 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 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.
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 - Some Common Misconceptions
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:
- Seasonal Flu Print Materials (updated regularly)
For Parents of Preteens and Adolescents
- Q&As About Preteen Vaccines
- Information for Parents about Preteen Vaccines
- Q&As for Parents of Preteens about HPV & the HPV Vaccine
- Q&As about HPV Vaccine Safety (Note: This is not a flyer)
- Seasonal Flu Print Materials (updated regularly)
For College Students and Young Adults
- Q&As about HPV Vaccine Safety
- Common Questions about HPV & Cervical Cancer for Women who Have HPV [370KB, 2 pages]
- Seasonal Flu Print Materials (updated regularly)
For Adults
- Immunization for Older Adults
- The Shingles Vaccine
- Seasonal Flu Print Materials (updated regularly)
For Pregnant Women
For Travelers
For Spanish Speakers (Parents and Patients)
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Content last reviewed on May 21, 2012
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases