Key points
Healthcare providers are essential, longstanding partners in the safe administration of vaccines. They ensure safety from the moment vaccines arrive at a facility to when they are administered to patients.
Storage and handling
Proper storage and handling of vaccines by healthcare providers helps to ensure vaccines remain potent so that they result in an adequate immune response in the patient. CDC provides vaccine storage and handling resources to educate providers on best practices.
Administering vaccines
Contraindications and precautions
When caring for patients, healthcare providers evaluate whether additional vaccines are indicated based on a patient’s existing medical conditions or age to ensure that patients receive all recommended vaccines. Providers share important information about vaccine benefits, risks, and common vaccine safety concerns.
They also screen patients for vaccine contraindications (such as history of severe allergic reactions) and precautions, which guide the decision around whether or not certain vaccines are recommended for an individual patient. While severe, life-threatening reactions following vaccinations are rare, providers should be prepared to manage reactions should they occur and report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)..
Reporting adverse events
Healthcare providers also contribute to what we know about vaccine safety by reporting clinically important adverse events following vaccination. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is the nation's frontline system for monitoring vaccine safety. While anyone can submit a report, the system depends on healthcare professionals to report adverse events should they occur. The information shared in VAERS reports helps CDC and FDA keep vaccines safe for everyone.
Report possible adverse events to VAERS
Talking to patients
Healthcare providers are consistently identified as the most trusted source of vaccine information by parents and patients. Immunization providers should be prepared to discuss the benefits and risks of vaccines using Vaccine Information Statements and other reliable resources.