Immunization resources for health care providers

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a national vaccine safety surveillance program co-sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). VAERS collects and analyzes information from reports of adverse events following immunization. VAERS encourages the reporting of any clinically significant adverse event that occurs after the administration of any vaccine licensed in the United States. You should report clinically significant adverse events even if you are unsure whether a vaccine caused the event.

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) requires health care providers to report:

• Any event listed by the vaccine manufacturer as a contraindication to subsequent doses of the vaccine.
• Any event listed in the Reportable Events Table that occurs within the specified time period after vaccination.

A copy of the Reportable Events Table can be obtained by calling VAERS at 1-800-822-7967 or by downloading it from http://vaers.hhs.gov/pubs.htm

Who can report to VAERS?

Anyone can report to VAERS. The majority of VAERS reports are sent in by vaccine manufacturers (42%) and health care providers (30%). The remaining reports are obtained from state immunization programs (12%), vaccine recipients (or their parent/guardians, 7%) and other sources (9%). Vaccine recipients or their parents or guardians are encouraged to seek the help of their health care professional in filling out the VAERS form.

How do I report to VAERS?

You should use a VAERS report form to report any adverse event. You can obtain pre-addressed postage paid report forms by calling VAERS at 1-800-822-7967. You may use photocopies of the form to submit reports. You may also download printable copies of the VAERS form as well as other information about the VAERS Program from the following Internet sites:

• The VAERS Web site
• The Food and Drug Administration's Web site
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site

How can I get more information on VAERS?

There are four ways to obtain information about the VAERS program:

• Send e-mail inquiries to info@vaers.org
• Visit the VAERS Web site at: http://vaers.hhs.gov
• Call the toll-free VAERS information line at (800) 822-7967
• Fax inquiries to the toll-free information fax line at (877) 721-0366

• California Distance Learning Health Network
• Distance learning opportunities through the Public Health Training Network (PHTN)
• Immunization Update 2009 webcast

Guide to Contraindications to Vaccinations
Reporting adverse reactions
VAERS report form (PDF)

If you are referring your patient to Public Health for hepatitis B immune globulin, you must contact the Public Health clinic near you to arrange for this or call Public Health's Communicable Disease and Epidemiology at 206-296-4774.

• CDC Viral Hepatitis B information
• Public Health - Seattle & King County's Perinatal Hepatitis B Program
• Asian Pacific Islander hepatitis B fact sheet

As of May 1, 2007, HPV vaccine is available through the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program.

• HPV Provider's Toolkit

List of all current ACIP statements

• Public Health's Epi-Log newsletter
• Public Health's Vac Scene newsletter
• Vaccine Information for the Public & Health Professionals
• CDC's Influenza website
• CDC's Traveler's Health website
• Thimerosal information
• Vaccine information statements
• Travelers health information
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
• Washington Department of Health (DOH) immunization

Immunization Resources Providers Shouldn't Be Without (PDF)

Book and CDs:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases ("The Pink Book"), 10th edition, January 2007. To order a copy, call the Public Health Foundation at 877-252-1200. Cost is $29.00 plus shipping & handling.
• 2006 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 27th edition. American Academy of Pediatrics. To order a copy, call 1-888-227-1770.
• "Immunization Works" CD (2007, item #99-6711). Includes all ACIP statements, all VISs, Pink Book, Surveillance Manual, items on Immunization Survey, Vaccine Safety, Immunization Registries, VACMAN, CASA, and related articles and letters (limit 6 CDs per order). Order from CDC's web site.

Websites:

1. Immunization Action Coalition/Hepatitis B Coalition

• Lots of information on immunizations, including free stuff you can download on adult and childhood immunizations ("camera-ready" in PDF format)
  
• Vaccine Information Statements are available in over 30 languages

2. Vaccine Information

• Video clips of several children with pertussis

3. National Network for Immunization Information

• Vaccine safety and general vaccine information
• Frequently Asked Questions for Parents

4. Public Health - Seattle & King County Immunization Program
   
   
5. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

• National Immunization Program
• Online immunization training "You Call the Shots"

6. Washington Department of Health Immunization Program

Email, fax and phone numbers:

• Public Health - Seattle & King County:
  
  • Immunization Program: 206-296-4774
    
  • Communicable Disease Hotline: 206-296-4949
    
    
• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • National Immunization Program e-mail address: nipinfo@cdc.gov
  • Telephone consultation: CDC-INFO Contact Center, staffed 8 am-11pm (EST) English and Spanish: 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
  • CDC Fax Information Service: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299)
    
    
• Washington State Immunization Program:
  
  • Main number: 360-236-3595
  • To order materials: E-mail: immunematerials@doh.wa.gov or Fax: 360-664-2929.