Immunization
The Immunization Division aims to increase immunization rates and reduce vaccine-preventable diseases.
Quicklinks
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 and family 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.
- For data requests for media and research purposes, please complete the Data Request Form. This is not a form to request immunization records. Please follow the instructions above to obtain immunization records. There is no form within the immunization department to request your immunization records. Please contact your provider or county health department who administered your vaccinations.
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.
Guidelines for Specific Vaccines for Preteens and Teens
Guidelines for specific vaccines for preteens and teens have been established by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other medical organizations.
- Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) or tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster: The Tdap vaccine should be given to children aged 11 to 12 years. It can be given at 13-18 years if not received at an earlier age. Tdap can be given regardless of the time since receiving a previous Td-containing vaccine. The Td booster is used in persons who should not get the pertussis vaccine.
- Meningococcal: The meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for all preteens and teens at 11 to 12 years old, with a booster dose at 16 years old. Teens may also be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (2 or 3 doses depending on the brand), preferably at 16 through 18 years old. Any older teen who has never been vaccinated should get vaccinated as soon as possible.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV): The HPV vaccine is recommended for children aged 11-12 years so that they are protected before exposure to the virus. The HPV vaccine is given as a 2-dose series before age 15. Both girls and boys should receive 2 doses of the vaccine to prevent HPV-related diseases. Teens 13 years and older who either did not get any or did not receive all of the HPV vaccines when they were younger should complete the vaccine series. Adolescents older than 15 at the start of the vaccination series and young adults need 3 HPV shots for full protection.
- Influenza: All teenagers (and everyone else 6 months of age and older) should be vaccinated every year with the influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available in the community.
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
You are obligated to report all vaccine adverse events online. Please select this link to go directly to VAERS.
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Page last updated: December 2, 2024
