Parents and caregivers often have questions about vaccines and their safety. Unfortunately, the internet and social media can provide a lot of misinformation, myths, and downright lies about vaccines.
With so much noise, it can be hard to know who to believe. It’s important to remember that the source of the information is the most important factor in determining the credibility or truthfulness of the information being provided. Anyone can say whatever they want, but doctors and medical societies are held to a higher standard. Part of a physician’s board certification involves understanding the safety and efficacy of vaccines. That includes the risks involved in administering vaccines as well as when not to give vaccines. Parents should feel comfortable coming to their physician for information about vaccines and be able to trust that their doctor will provide them with the best recommendations for their child. If parents are looking for more information, they should weigh carefully where the information is coming from. With that in mind, Dr. Whitlock compiled a list of websites where you can find credible information on vaccines and their safety. We hope you will share this list for others to find.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – http://www.chop.edu/centers-progra…/vaccine-education-center
Vaccine Information You Need – http://www.vaccineinformation.org/
Vaccine Your Family – http://vaccinateyourfamily.org/
Voices for Vaccines – https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/
Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases – http://www.pkids.org/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html
Healthy Children (from the American Academy of Pediatrics) – https://www.healthychildren.org/…/immuni…/Pages/default.aspx
American Academy of Family Physicians – https://www.aafp.org/…/clinical-reco…/all/immunizations.html
Allied Vaccine Group – http://www.vaccine.org
Institute for Vaccine Safety (from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) – http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/
Infectious Diseases Society of America – http://www.idsociety.org/Immunization/
Immunization Action Coalition – http://www.immunize.org/