Immunization

The Immunization Division aims to increase immunization rates and reduce vaccine-preventable diseases.

What's New!

• To make an immunization appointment, please contact your healthcare provider or county health department.
• The CDC recently reported a significant increase in Pertussis cases across the U.S. The Pediatric Pandemic Network Infectious Diseases Domain colleagues have developed resources to support clinicians, families, and caregivers. Read our latest Health Alert Network (HAN) message regarding Pertussis in Alabama.
• Attention Healthcare Providers: CDC releases Health Alert Network Update - Increase in Invasive Serogroup Y Meningococcal Disease in the United States
• If you need your immunization record or Certificate of Immunization (COI), please contact the provider or county health department that administered your vaccines. You can also ask your current provider if they have access to Alabama's immunization registry, ImmPRINT, to locate your record.
• Current Hepatitis A virus continues to spread and raise alarm among local health officials. Visit Hepatitis A Outbreak for the latest information on the recent outbreak.
• The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is pleased to announce Jackson Hospital in Montgomery is one of four institutions accepted into the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll. Jackson Hospital has a 93% Hep B birth dose coverage rate and is among 532 honorees.
• A Certificate of Religious Exemption can only be issued by a county health department. The parent or legal guardian must submit a written objection and receive education on the consequences of not immunizing their child. By State School Immunization Law, a Religious Exemption can only be issued to kindergarten through 12th grade and not to institutions of higher learning.

Vaccination is Key! WIPE OUT HPV!

Vaccination is Key! WIPE OUT HPV! is a collaboration between the Immunization Division and Operation WIPE OUT Cervical Cancer Alabama. Getting vaccinated is one of the most convenient and safest preventative care measures available. Vaccines, such as the HPV vaccine, protect against cancer, with cervical cancer being the most common HPV-related disease. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer can be attributed to HPV infection. Operation WIPE OUT Cervical Cancer Alabama is a public health initiative aimed at eliminating cervical cancer by vaccinating against HPV and expanding access to cervical cancer screening and follow-up. We can eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama by:

• Vaccinating more children and adolescents against HPV
• Screening more women for cervical cancer
• Ensuring that women who need follow-up can access services

For more information, please visit Operation WIPE OUT Cervical Cancer.

Report Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs)

• To report a 4-hour "presumptive" VPD, call 1-800-469-4599
• To report a 24-hour "presumptive" VPD, call 1-800-469-4599 or complete the Communicable Disease REPORT Card
• To report a 5-day Standard VPD, complete the Communicable Disease REPORT Card
• Review the Notifiable Disease Rules requirements.
• Notifiable VPDs do not require the patient's permission to be investigated. To learn more, review the HIPAA Letter.

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)

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 provides a nationwide mechanism by which adverse events following immunization may be reported analyzed, and made available to the public. VAERS also provides a vehicle for disseminating vaccine-safety-related information to parents and guardians, health care providers, vaccine manufacturers, state vaccine programs, and other constituencies.

You are obligated to report all vaccine adverse events online. Please select this link to go directly to VAERS.