Immunization Resources

Evaluating Online Health Information

There are so many websites out there with vaccine and other health information, how do you know which ones to trust? Here’s what to look for:

  • Who manages this information?

    The person or group that has published health information online should be easy to find somewhere on the page. Usually this is in the “About us” section.

  • What are the letters at the end of the web address (URL)?

    Government websites end in “.gov” and those ending with “.edu” are run by a university or other educational

    institution. These are sources that you can usually trust. If you see “.org” or “.com” at the end of a web address, it may still be a trusted site. But, check it closely to make sure.

  • Who is paying for the project, and what is their purpose?

    You should be able to find this in the “About Us” section.

  • What is the source of the information?

    If the information was originally published in a research journal or a book, they should say which one so that you can find it.

  • How is information reviewed before it gets posted?

    Most health information publications have someone with medical or research credentials (e.g., someone who has

    earned an MD, DO, or PhD) review the information before it gets posted, to make sure it is correct. This information should be noted on the website.

  • How current is the information?

    Online health information sources should display a date when the information was posted or last reviewed.

  • If they are asking for personal information, how will they use that information and how will they protect your privacy?

    This is very important. Do not share personal information until you understand the policies under which it will be used

    and you are comfortable with any risk involved in sharing your information online.

  • Trusted Websites
    • American Cancer Society info about HPV Related Cancers - Helpful review about HPV related cancers and  the HPV vaccine.
    • Voices for Vaccines - A family-led organization that serves as a catalyst to spark positive peer-to-peer conversations about vaccines and the diseases they prevent. This grass roots site is supported by a really solid scientific advisory board.
    • Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) - Massachusetts Immunization Registry Information
    • Vax Matters Podcast - Louisiana Office of Public Health Podcast about vaccines.  Reviews truths and myths about vaccines
    • Institute for Vaccine Safety - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health website is a comprehensive review of vaccine safety concerns.
    • Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System - VAERS Analyzes reports of adverse events that happen after vaccination. Anyone can submit a report to VAERS. This is an important part of making sure our vaccines are safe.
    • CDC Vaccines & Immunizations- A wealth of information about vaccines as well as the diseases that they are meant to prevent. This links to the CDC Vaccine Schedule, updated annually.
    • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center - Detailed, well informed site. Reviews each vaccine,    vaccine history, the science behind vaccines and how they are developed.  A great section on safety, including "What's in the vial." We highly recommend downloading the corresponding APP, called Vaccines on the Go. It is a very handy reference!
    • CDC Parent pages about Vaccines - This CDC link bring you to a section of the website designed for parents.
    • Massachusetts Dept of Public Health School Immunizations - The Massachusetts DPH page about school vaccine requirements for daycare, school, camp.
    • HealthyChildren.org Vaccines for Tweens, Teens and Young Adults - A good summary of the vaccines recommended for older kids
    • Vaccine Information.org - Excellent website, having timely, accurate, and factual information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent. Some good practical tips about evaluating sources of information about vaccines. Helpful videos. 
    • History of Vaccines 101 - Fun and informative website, from the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Useful glossary of term uses in discussions about vaccines. Very though-provoking blog entries.
    • CDC COVID Vaccine Information - CDC COVID Vaccine Information
    • Shot by Shot -   A collection of stories from people who have been touched by vaccine-preventable diseases. With the success of vaccines, we don’t see diseases like meningitis, polio, and hepatitis. Shot by shot’s story bank of real-life stories, told by survivors, family members, friends, and health care providers, brings first-hand experiences to new generations. 
    • Vaccinate Your Family - Great site for longstanding organization, started in 1991 as Every Child by Age 2
    • CDC Vaccines for Travel - Vaccines advised for your family's next travel adventure
Here are the resources we suggest:
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