Immunization Service

Immunization Service, an Oklahoma State Department of Health Prevention and Preparedness Services program, provides Oklahomans with reliable information and resources to make decisions about vaccines. Immunization Service works with other state agencies, such as the Department of Human Services, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and the Department of Education to raise awareness about the value of immunizations and help to increase immunization levels among Oklahomans to prevent diseases.

Provide immunization information to the public and answer questions about vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
Monitor immunization compliance in childcare facilities and schools as required by state law.
Provide vaccines through county health departments.
Operate and maintain the Oklahoma State Immunization Information System (OSIIS).
Provide immunization consultation and training to immunization providers, schools, and childcare facilities throughout Oklahoma.
Coordinate the purchase, distribution and quality assurance of vaccine to over 800 public and private clinics enrolled in the Vaccines for Children Program statewide.

Vaccinations protect the people you care about by reducing the spread of preventable diseases. Vaccinations can save your family time and money. Vaccinations can save your child's life by protecting against preventable diseases.

Calling the Shots - Examine the science behind vaccinations, the return of preventable diseases, and the risks of opting out in this free PBS series.
Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know - Download this free mobile app from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to access information on the safety, science and importance of vaccines.
What is the Harm in Delaying or Spacing Out Vaccines - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia helps parents gain understating of delaying vaccination.

Vaccine Safety (CDC.gov)
Read the Vaccine Information Statements
- Ask questions so you understand the risks of the diseases and the benefits and risks of the vaccines.
Take the Vaccine Information Statements home with you; 
- You will have them for reference if you need to know what vaccine side effects to expect and what side effects need immediate medical attention.
Keep a personal record of vaccines that you and your children have received.
- Take these records with you to all health-care visits to ensure that you and your children are kept up-to-date on vaccines and so you or your child do not get extra doses of vaccine.
Report severe or unusual reactions to vaccines to your health care provider.
- These reactions will be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System which is a nationwide system for tracking adverse events following immunizations.  
- The system will work only if reactions are reported.

Researchers have studied the meningococcal vaccines very carefully and they are shown to be very safe.

Why should we immunize against diseases we rarely see?
- We need to immunize against diseases we rarely see because they still occur in other parts of the worlds and if we stop vaccinating the diseases will come back.

Is it safe for my baby to receive multiple vaccines at one time?
- Yes, babies’ immune systems can handle much more than they are exposed to with several vaccinations on the same day.

What if we get behind on the vaccine schedule?
- You do not have to start over. Simply make an appointment and pick up the schedule where you left off.

Can I take my child to any county health department in the state to get their vaccinations?
- Yes. However, if your child has health insurance that covers the cost of vaccines, we recommend they receive their vaccines from their primary care physician. However, if your health insurance does not cover the cost of a particular vaccine or you don’t have a doctor, you can take your child to any County Health Department in Oklahoma to receive their vaccines.