Immunization Information for Medical Providers

Childhood Vaccines

Routine primary childhood vaccines are administered at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 15 months of age.   For children who begin their immunizations late, follow minimum intervals for vaccination to bring them up-to-date in a timely manner. All providers should understand true vaccine contraindications to avoid missed immunization opportunities.

• Childhood Immunization schedule
• Childhood vaccination catch-up schedules and contraindication information

• Medical care providers are eligable for free, federally funded vaccines for uninsured and lower income families' children through the Vaccines For Children Program (VFC) at (510) 704-3750

Adolescent Vaccines

• Adolescent Immunization Schedule
• CDC recommends that children ages 11-12, be immunized with the meningococcal conjugate vaccine. They recommend vaccination for the next 2-3 years for teens entering high school as well as college freshmen who will be living in dormitories.

• 7th grade entry requirements in California consist of evidence of a 3 dose series of hepatitis B vaccine and 2 MMRs. Other vaccines may also be generally indicated for some adolescents.

Adult Vaccines

• Adult Immunization Schedule
• Vaccine recommendations for specific populations.
• Programs that provide free vaccines to local public health centers and private and nonprofit organizations. Contact the Adult Vaccine Program at (415) 554-2830 for more information on the Influenza Vaccine Program and Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccine Program.
• Programs that provide low cost vaccines to San Francisco residents
  • Perinatal Hep B Projects
  • Adult Immunization and Travel Clinic
  • San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium

  • Community Health Network Health Centers and Clinics

Rules and Regulations

• Vaccine information statements (VIS) are required to be given to a patient or guardian prior to the administration of any vaccine. Individuals should be given time to read the statement and ask questions as needed. Multiple language versions are available for most vaccines.

• Reporting is required for certain events following vaccine administration. The Vacine Adverse Event Reporting System, VAERS, requests suspected adverse event/reaction be reported to 1(800) 822-7967.

School and Childcare Laws

California school and childcare rules and regulations govern addmitance into childcare and kindergarten.

Vaccine Materials

• Order free immunization materials through The San Francisco Department of Public Health.

• Vaccine fact sheets  

Useful Vaccine Links

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) pink book. An excellent reference of up-to-date vaccine information for medical professionals.
• Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Recommendations and indications for pediatric and adult vaccine use.
• American Academy of Pediatrics Red Book. An excellent source of immunization information, vaccine preventable disease advice, and guidelines.
• Low-cost hepatitis vaccinating and testing sites in San Francisco

Please call the San Francisco Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Prevention Unit with any questions. Call (415) 554-2830.