HHS Launches New Consumer-Focused Immunization Website

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled an innovative new website to help parents and other consumers learn about the most effective way to protect themselves and their children from infectious diseases and learn about immunization. Vaccines.gov brings together the best in federal resources on vaccine and immunizations to provide consumers with easy-to-understand health information specifically for their needs.

"Vaccines.gov puts the power of prevention at the fingertips of all Americans," says Dr. Howard K. Koh, HHS assistant secretary for health. "We urge everyone to visit this site and learn more about how vaccines can protect the health of each family member as well as the entire Nation."

Vaccines.gov is the first cross-government website devoted to providing consumer information about vaccines and immunization, combining content and expertise from agencies across the HHS. It is the result of unprecedented collaboration among federal health and communications experts to offer online content about vaccine and immunization based on consumer needs.

The site includes content about vaccine recommendations, the diseases that vaccines prevent, important information for getting vaccinated, and tips on travel health. It also links consumers with resources in their states to learn about vaccine requirements for school or child care entry and local community information.

"This website will help ensure that Americans have accurate, Web-based information on immunizations," says Dr. Bruce Gellin, director of the National Vaccine Program Office at HHS, which led the creation of Vaccines.gov. "It was developed with significant consumer input based on the publics feedback and is remarkably easy to navigate. It is designed to answer consumers questions, educate them about diseases that vaccines prevent, and connect Americans with resources to keep themselves and their families healthy."

In the coming year, Vaccines.gov will be expanded to include information from other government departments, grow to include a Spanish version of the site, offer new content on vaccine recommendations and infectious disease outbreaks, and be continually tested to ensure Vaccines.gov addresses the needs and questions of consumers.