Vaccine Information Statements
VISs by language
Somali-language VISs
Up-to-date
You are encouraged to distribute the up-to-date English-language VIS at the same time as the translation.
DTaP VIS | English-language [5/17/07]
Hib VIS | English-language [12/16/98]
Somali-language VISs
Out-of-date
The translations for some VISs on our website are from previously published English-language versions that have since been updated. Unfortunately, IAC is not always able to obtain translations as updates are issued. Please ensure that your patients receive information consistent with the current English-language version of the following VISs.
You are encouraged to distribute the up-to-date English-language VIS at the same time as the translation.
New!  Multi-vaccine VIS | English-language  [9/18/08]
This VIS may be used in place of individual VISs whenever any routine birth through 6-month vaccine is administered, or when certain combination vaccines are used. Read more.

These translations do not contain the following CDC update:

  • Multi-vaccine VIS update. An updated interim edition of the pediatric multi-vaccine VIS, dated September 18, 2008, has been posted. It has been made consistent with the recently updated rotavirus VIS by noting the availability of two rotavirus vaccines in the "Routine Childhood Vaccines" section and adding "irritability" to the mild problems listed for rotavirus in the "Vaccine Risks" section. Otherwise, the VIS is identical to the 1/30/08 edition. Providers using the multi-vaccine VIS when administering Rotarix should begin using the new edition now. When Rotarix is not administered, the older edition may be used until stocks are used up. (9/18/08)
MMR VIS | Up-to-date English-language [3/13/08]
These translations do not contain the following CDC updates:
  • Information was added about MMRV vaccine, tied to the March 14 MMWR, regarding increased risk of certain adverse events, including febrile seizures, with MMRV when compared with MMR and varicella vaccines given separately. Aside from two boxes containing information about MMRV, both VISs are identical to the previous editions.
  • The new VISs should be used when MMRV is given; but the existing stocks of the individual MMR and varicella VISs may be used when the vaccines are given separately.
Chickenpox VIS [1/10/07] | Up-to-date English-language [3/13/08]
These translations do not contain the following CDC updates:
  • Information was added about MMRV vaccine, tied to the March 14 MMWR, regarding increased risk of certain adverse events, including febrile seizures, with MMRV when compared with MMR and varicella vaccines given separately. Aside from two boxes containing information about MMRV, both VISs are identical to the previous editions.
  • The new VISs should be used when MMRV is given; but the existing stocks of the individual MMR and varicella VISs may be used when the vaccines are given separately.
Hepatitis B VIS | Up-to-date English-language [7/18/07]
These translations do not contain the following CDC updates:

  • On July 18, the CDC posted an interim VIS for hepatitis B. There are minor changes throughout, but the main purpose of the update is to emphasize the birth dose for all children.
  • A final version will be developed.
Meningococcal VIS [10/07/05] | Up-to-date English-language [8/16/07]
These translations do not contain the following CDC updates:
  • The meningococcal VIS has been updated slightly to incorporate ACIP's new recommendation to vaccinate all children & adolescents 11-18 years of age. The new VIS is dated (8/16/07); the change affects only the first 2 paragraphs of Section 3. In the VIS News link on the CDC website they say that providers needn't discard existing stocks of the previous edition, but should be prepared to explain the updated recommendation to their patients if they use the older version.
  • The Guillain-Barre Syndrome (second bullet just above section 6) was changed slightly: "a few" was replaced by "some" to reflect the additional cases that were reported.
Rotavirus VIS | English-language [8/28/08]
These translations do not contain the following CDC updates:
  • An updated Rotavirus interim VIS dated 8/28/08 has been posted on the CDC website with information about Rotarix, a second vaccine.
  • Providers may use up stocks of the previous version for patients receiving RotaTeq, but patients receiving the new Rotarix should get the new VIS.
Smallpox VIS [1/16/03] | Up-to-date English-language [11/15/03]
You will be linked to the CDC website, to download the Smallpox pre-vaccination information packet, which includes the Smallpox VIS.
Please note: there are supplements that come with this VIS, but the supplements have not been translated, just the VIS.
Thanks to the Minnesota Department of Health and the California Department of Health Services for their translations.

This page was updated on September 30, 2008

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