Guest Registration

Purpose

Instructions for using the guest registration functionality in VAMS to schedule vaccination appointment(s) and register for a vaccine.

Overview

This quick reference guide provides instructions for using the guest registration functionality in VAMS to schedule vaccination and/or general appointment(s) and register for a vaccine. You can use guest registration for yourself, or if you are a representative/guardian of the recipient(s), you can use it to schedule vaccination and/or general appointment(s) and register for a vaccine on behalf of someone else.

NOTE: If you are a representative/guardian of the recipient(s), use of the term "you" throughout this document will be referring to the recipient(s) you are representing.

Recipients have two options for navigating guest registration. They may either schedule an appointment and then register in VAMS, or they may pre-register their information in VAMS and not schedule an appointment. The second scenario may be useful at clinics that accept walk-in appointments or if the recipient is not yet ready to schedule an appointment. For both options, creating a VAMS account is optional.

Option 1: Schedule an Appointment, Then Register

Step 1: Answer Prescheduling Question(s)

  • Navigate to your jurisdiction's VAMS Landing Page and Select Proceed as Guest.
  • Review the welcome text on the top of the page and select one of the following options:
    • Schedule Your Appointment
      • Select this option to schedule your vaccination appointment or general appointment (which includes COVID-19 testing appointments) by finding a clinic and a time slot that works for you.
    • Manage Appointments
      • Select this to manage a current appointment or update your information.

To schedule your COVID-19 vaccination appointment:

  • Select the State where you want to get vaccinated.
  • Select COVID-19 vaccine from the drop-down menu for appointment type.
  • Select the desired Vaccine Type from the following:
    • COVID-19 vaccine for adults (ages 12 and above)
    • COVID-19 vaccine for children (ages 5-11)
    • COVID-19 vaccine for children (ages 6 months to 4 years)
  • Indicate whether you would like to schedule an influenza vaccine with your COVID-19 vaccination appointment.
  • Select the specific Dose(s) you would like to receive.
  • Check the Box that confirms the above information is accurate and that you meet the eligibility criteria (if scheduling for COVID-19 vaccine additional dose). Click Next.

Key Considerations‎

If you select Janssen [Johnson & Johnson], you cannot schedule a second dose as it is a single-dose vaccine.

To schedule your Mpox vaccination appointment:

  • Select the State where you want to get vaccinated.
  • Select Mpox Vaccine from the drop-down menu for appointment type.
  • Select your desired Dose Type.
  • Check the Box that confirms the above information is accurate. Click Next.

To schedule your routine vaccination appointment:

  • Select the State where you want to get vaccinated.
  • Select your desired Routine Vaccine from the drop-down menu for appointment type.
  • Select your desired Dose Type (if applicable)
  • Answer any additional pre-scheduling questions (if applicable).
  • Check the Box that confirms the above information is accurate. Click Next.

To schedule your general appointment (including COVID-19 testing appointment):

  • Select the State where you want to schedule a general appointment.
  • Select General Appointment from the drop-down menu for appointment type.
  • Select the Reason for your appointment from the Appointment Reason drop-down menu.
    • If you select COVID-19, select the specific COVID-19 Test that you would like to receive.
    • If you select Other, briefly describe the Reason for your general appointment in the space provided.
  • Check the Box that confirms the above information is accurate. Click Next.

Step 2: Schedule Your Appointment

Step 2a | Find a Clinic

  • On the Clinic Location page, search for a clinic by entering an Address or ZIP/Postal Code to find clinics nearby. You can filter results to locate a clinic within a 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, or 100-mile radius of the recipient's address or ZIP/postal code by clicking the drop-down arrow in the Within box.
  • Click Search and a list of clinics within your selected mile radius will appear.
    • NOTE: Only clinics that carry the vaccine product and dose you selected during the prescheduling questions will appear in the search results.
  • Click the Name of the clinic where you would like to schedule an appointment, then click the Next button that appears above the list of clinics.
    • Note: The Next button will only appear once you select a clinic name.

Step 2b | Select a Date and Time

  • On the Date and Time page, select an available appointment Date on the calendar located on the left side of the page.
  • Select an appointment Time by clicking a Time Slot, then click the Next button located in the bottom right corner of the page.
  • Review your selected appointment location, date, and time, as well as any notes from the clinic, if provided.
    • The Review page will also display the vaccine you are scheduled to receive.
  • Click Submit to confirm the appointment or click Previous to make any changes.

Key Considerations

    • Days on the calendar with available appointments are underlined in green.
    • You can select Return to Search Results on the Date and Time page to return to the list of available clinics.
    • After clicking Submit, the selected appointment time slot will be held in the system for 10 minutes while you complete your registration. If registration is not completed by that time, the appointment will be released in the system. The countdown timer is located in the upper right corner of the page.

Step 3: Register for a Vaccine

To confirm the appointment in the system, you will be asked to either locate your VAMS account (if you have an existing one) or provide some required information.

  • In the provided spaces, enter your First Name, Last Name, and Date of Birth AND enter one of the following: Email Address, Cell Phone Number, VAMS System ID.
  • If you do have an existing account in VAMS, you will be able to proceed with that information.
  • If you do not have an existing account in VAMS, you must provide the required information. Click Register at the bottom of the page.
  • Click Continue.
  • Click Register at the bottom of the page.
  • Enter the requested information on the Guest Registration Required information is indicated by red asterisks (*) in VAMS.
    • Representative/guardian information – If you are a representative or guardian registering on behalf of a recipient, select Yes and enter the required personal information.
    • First and last name
    • Date of birth
    • Sex
    • Race and ethnicity
    • Home address
    • Preferred method of contact (email, SMS, or "I prefer not to receive any communication from VAMS")
    • Preferred language for communications (English or Español)
  • Provide Insurance Information, if applicable.
  • Provide Emergency Contact Information, if applicable.
  • Select whether you would like to Opt Out of the IIS sharing your immunization data with other providers.
  • Select an option in the Account Information Creating an account is optional.
  • After entering the information, click Next.
  • Review the information for accuracy. If any information is inaccurate, click Previous to make edits before moving forward.
  • Confirm all information is correct and complete, then check the Box that you agree the information is correct. Click Submit.
  • A pop-up box will emerge asking for a verification code that has been sent to your preferred email/phone number. Enter the Verification Code and select verify.
  • After Submitting and Verifying, you will see a confirmation that the appointment has been scheduled. The confirmation includes the appointment details and a QR code the front desk can use to check you in upon arrival at the clinic.

Key Considerations

    • In order to confirm your appointment, you must register for a vaccine in the system.
    • Account creation is not required as part of the guest registration process.
    • Based on your selection in the Communications Preferences section, the information shown on the confirmation page will be included in an appointment confirmation notification sent via your preferred contact method.
      • The appointment confirmation email will display the list of vaccines you are scheduled to receive.
    • After completing registration, you can log in at any time to review or edit your information or appointment(s) by navigating to your jurisdiction’s Guest Registration landing page and clicking the Manage Appointments button.

Option 2: Pre-Register for a Vaccine without Scheduling an Appointment

  • Navigate to your jurisdiction's Guest Registration landing page and click the link at the bottom that says, "Enter your information to pre-register."
  • Confirm you do not already have a VAMS account by entering your First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and one of the following: Email Address, Cell Phone Number, or VAMS System ID.
  • Once you've entered your information, click Continue.
  • If you do not have a VAMS account, the system will say your information is not on file and you will see a Register Select this button to proceed.
    • If you do already have a VAMS account, you do not need to pre-register, as you are already registered in VAMS. The system will send a verification code to your preferred contact method. Enter this Code on the screen and click Verify. You can then proceed with scheduling a vaccination appointment.
  • Enter all required information, marked by a red asterisk (*), then click Next.
  • VAMS will send a verification code to your preferred contact method. Enter this Code in the pop-up window and click Verify.
  • Review your information and check the Box at the bottom of the screen, confirming the information is accurate, then click Submit.

You are now pre-registered! You can click the Schedule Your Appointment button if you are ready to schedule an appointment now, or simply return to the Guest Registration login screen at a later date and click the Schedule Your Appointment button.

VAMS Help Desk Contact Information

For additional support, complete the contact form for the VAMS Help Desk.

Toll-Free Number | +1 833-748-1979

Email: CARS_HelpDesk@cdc.gov

Hours of Operation | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM EST | Monday – Friday