Immunization recommendations are your healthcare provider's personalized vaccination plan based on your age, health conditions, vaccination history, and current guidelines. They tell you which vaccines you need and when to get them.

These recommendations help ensure you stay protected against vaccine-preventable diseases and receive vaccines at the right time for maximum protection.

Note: Only your healthcare providers can create or update immunization recommendations to ensure medical accuracy and current guidelines are followed.

 

What's in Your Recommendations

Basic information:

  • Creation date - When your provider made these recommendations
  • Multiple recommendations - Separate recommendations for different vaccines

For each vaccine recommendation:

  • Status - Whether you need it now, are overdue, or are up to date
  • Reasons - Why this vaccine is recommended for you
  • Recommended vaccines - Specific vaccines that would work
  • Target disease - What disease the vaccine prevents
  • Vaccines to avoid - Any vaccines you shouldn't get
  • Series information - If multiple doses are needed
  • Timing - When you should get the vaccine
  • Supporting evidence - Past vaccines that influenced this recommendation

 

Understanding Your Status

Common recommendation statuses:

  • Due - You need this vaccine now
  • Overdue - You should have gotten this vaccine already
  • Immune - You're already protected and don't need it
  • Contraindicated - You shouldn't get this vaccine for medical reasons
  • Complete - You've finished this vaccination series
  • Not recommended - This vaccine isn't recommended for you right now

Common reasons for recommendations:

  • Age-based - Recommended for your age group
  • Risk-based - Recommended due to your health conditions
  • Catch-up - Needed to complete missed vaccines
  • Travel - Recommended for travel destinations
  • Work-related - Required for your job
  • Seasonal - Recommended at certain times of year

 

Vaccination Series and Timing

Understanding vaccine series:

  • Many vaccines need multiple doses for full protection
  • Your recommendations track which dose you need next
  • Series show total doses needed (like "dose 2 of 3")
  • Timing between doses is important for effectiveness

Common timing types:

  • Earliest date - Earliest you can safely get the vaccine
  • Recommended date - Best date to get the vaccine
  • Latest date - Latest you should get the vaccine
  • Due date - When the vaccine becomes due
  • Overdue date - When the vaccine becomes overdue

Examples of common series:

  • Hepatitis B - Usually 3 doses over 6 months
  • HPV - 2-3 doses depending on age when started
  • COVID-19 - Primary series plus boosters
  • Pneumococcal - Multiple doses for children, boosters for adults

 

How to Use This Information

Plan your vaccinations:

  • Review which vaccines you need and their priority
  • Schedule appointments based on recommended dates
  • Plan for series completion and follow-up doses
  • Ask about getting multiple vaccines in one visit

Prepare for appointments:

  • Bring your recommendation records to appointments
  • Ask questions about recommended vaccines
  • Discuss any concerns about contraindicated vaccines
  • Confirm timing for your next doses

Stay on track:

  • Keep track of due dates and overdue vaccines
  • Monitor completion of vaccination series
  • Note when recommendations change after getting vaccines
  • Plan for future booster doses

Questions to ask your provider:

  • "Which vaccines do I need most urgently?"
  • "When should I get my next vaccine?"
  • "How many more doses do I need in this series?"
  • "Why can't I get certain vaccines?"
  • "Are there alternative vaccines I can get?"
  • "Do I need special vaccines for travel or work?"

Remember: Your immunization recommendations provide a personalized plan for staying protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.