How Vaccines Prevent Disease

Most vaccine-preventable diseases are caused by germs that are called "viruses" or "bacteria." Vaccines to help prevent these diseases generally contain weakened or killed viruses or bacteria specific to the disease. Vaccines help your body recognize and fight these germs and protect you each time you come in contact with someone who is sick with any of these diseases.

There are a series of steps that your body goes through in fighting these diseases:

• First - a vaccine is given by a shot (influenza vaccine may be given by a nasal spray).
• Next - over the next few weeks the body makes antibodies and memory cells against the weakened or dead germs in the vaccine.
• Then - the antibodies can fight the real disease germs if the person is exposed to the germs and they invade the body. The antibodies will help destroy the germs and the person will not become ill.
• Finally - antibodies and memory cells stay on guard in the body for years after the vaccination to safeguard it from the real disease germs.
• Most vaccines are given to babies and young children, but some are needed throughout your lifetime to make sure you stay protected. This protection is called immunity. Vaccines are an important and safe way to keep you healthy.

The mission of the Immunizations Services Program is to reduce disability and death resulting from diseases that can be prevented through vaccination. 

Please select from the following:

SEASONAL INFLUENZA 2009-2010 Each year 36,000 people die, in the U.S. from influenza (flu) or influenza(flu)-related complications.  Over 200,000 hospitalizations occur because of the flu.  This link provides information on how many flu cases are reported to the state health department, how to prevent the flu and where to find a flu shot. It provides you with links to resoruce materials to educate professionals and the public. 

For information on H1N1 influenza, please visit CT Fluwatch

Please remember that blank School Health Assessment Records are available on the Connecticut State Department of Education website. Click on "blue forms" for a link to the site Blue forms

NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK APRIL 25, 2009-May 2, 2009

• For a list of events click here (pdf)

2009 Teleconference schedule   includes archived 2008 teleconferences

1. MMWR Hib vaccine recall and interim recommendations 12-19-2007(pdf)
2. Adult Immunizations     
3. CT Immunization Registry and Tracking System (CIRTS)
4. ASTHO Advocacy Materials - Index: 2007
5. Chickenpox Outbreak Guidelines
6. Educational Materials  NEW ON-LINE ORDER FORM!
7. Exemption Forms
8. Vaccine Preventable diseases Fact Sheets
9. Forms 
   • Vaccine Order Form Instructions 2-08 (pdf)
   • Patient Eligibility Screening Record:   English       Spanish (pdf)
   • Provider Profile 12-08 (pdf)
   • Provider Agreement  10-08 (pdf)
   • Vaccine Administration Record for Combined Children Adolescents and Adults  10-08(pdf)
   • Vaccine Backup Plan (pdf)
   • Vaccine Order Form 10-09 (pdf)
   • Vaccine Return Form (pdf)
   • Vaccine Transfer Form (pdf)
   • VAERS Form (pdf)
   • Vaccine Eligibility Criteria 10-01-09(pdf)
   • Varicella Case Report Form (pdf)
   • Answers to commonly asked  vaccine ordering questions
10. Immunization Action Plan (IAP)
11. IAP On Time Newsletter
12. Laboratory Testing 
    • Microbiology Testing Service Form (pdf)
13. Laws/Regulations 
    • College Immunization requirements (pdf)
    • School Immunization Requirements (pdf)
      • Temporary Suspension of Pre-K and Kindergarten Hib requirement-Superintendent letter 2-09 (pdf)
      • Temporary Suspension of Pre-K and Kindergarten Hib requirement-Administrators letter (pdf)
    • Daycare Immunization Requirements (pdf)
      • Updated Day Care, Family Day Care and Group Day Care Requirements- Hib vaccine shortage  5-09 (pdf) 
14. Pneumococcal Requirement for Day Care  (pdf)
15. Pre-teens and Adolescents Immunizations- Centers for Disease Control Resources 
16. Proposed Changes to Day Care, School Entry and College Immunization Requirements
17. Teleconference Presentations
18. Vaccine Policy Memos
19. Meningococcal Disease information  In accordance with Section 55 of PA08-184 this page provides informational materials for local and regional school boards about meningococcal meningitis and meningococcal vaccine.  Samples of letters and fact sheets are available in English and Spanish
20. Fraud and Abuse statement (pdf)

• Every Child By Two- vaccine safety information
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Immunization webpage
• CDC has recently launched the It’s Their Turn! This initiative provides state and local health departments with a comprehensive set of tools and materials to assist them in implementing educational and awareness campaigns to promote adolescent immunization. To consult with the It’s Their Turn! Initiative team on how best optimize these tools to your needs, please contact 404-639-2761; to see a sample of the generic materials and to download them for free.   To view the materials visit this web page. by clicking here:  It's your turn
• Immunization Action Coalition The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) works to increase immunization rates and prevent disease by creating and distributing educational materials for health professionals and the public that enhance the delivery of safe and effective immunization services.
• Get the picture - a six minute video by CDC with parents discussing issues related to immunizing their children