Have you ever had a new patient bring you an immunization record that has an unfamiliar vaccine abbreviation? Or a patient from another country with an immunization record they brought with them?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a list of acronyms and abbreviations commonly used on immunization records for just these occasions. Recently updated, the list is easily accessible from this page of the CDC’s website. The page also contains links to related information, such as translation of foreign immunization records and the standardized list of abbreviations from the ACIP.

Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.

You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.