In today’s information environment, patients and families have detailed questions about vaccines. The Vaccine Education Center has numerous resources to support patients and families, including two options for clinical care. 

VEC Clinic Consult 

In-person clinic appointments are offered for patients able to travel to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia or King of Prussia locations). These appointments are provided for those families who have detailed questions about vaccines and would benefit from a one-hour counseling session with a vaccine expert. The goal of the Vaccine Education Center Clinic Consult (VEC-CC) program is to directly support families interested in pursuing vaccination, but who have questions they would like to ask with an anticipated need for prolonged counseling prior to moving ahead. This program enables primary care providers, who may not have sufficient time or resources, to collaboratively address detailed questions with patients and families within the restraints of the typical clinical setting, such as limited appointment times. Vaccines are discussed and recommended as appropriate, but vaccine administration and follow-up occur in the primary care setting to maintain continuity within the child’s medical home.

To schedule an in-person appointment families should call 267-425-3377 and request a “VEC Clinic Consult” appointment at the Buerger Center in Philadelphia or the Specialty Care Center in King of Prussia.

Vaccine e-consults (provider-to-provider e-consults for clinicians practicing at CHOP)

Vaccine e-consults are available for CHOP providers with vaccine-related questions specific to a single patient. Providers can message a vaccine expert within the context of the patient’s chart and receive a patient-specific response, also documented within Epic. This option helps providers more efficiently use their time and increases confidence in their clinical approach, including in discussions with families. Likewise, families leave the care interaction more satisfied that their situation or concerns were acknowledged and considered with appropriate attention rather than minimized or dismissed. 

To use this clinical care option, CHOP providers should choose “e-consult” to Infectious Diseases within the patient’s chart and select the “Vaccination question” option.

Share the clinic number with a family to schedule an appointment and provide a referral to Infectious Diseases if necessary. You can find out more about referrals to CHOP from this page of the website.

Questions? 

VEC Clinic Consult services are supported by the Division of Infectious Diseases at CHOP. Find out more about the Division and its services. 

Dr. Lori Handy, an Associate Director in the VEC, oversees and coordinates these clinical services.

Clinical- or appointment-related questions? Contact the Division of Infectious Diseases.

Vaccine- or resource-related questions? Contact the VEC.