Home / Ask the Experts / Ask The Experts / Our large pediatric practice is struggling with the requirement to provide Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) to the parents of every child we vaccinate. We would like to create a re-usable packet of laminated VIS sheets (fastened together on a ring). We plan to place a packet in each exam room for parents to read prior to vaccine administration. On the bottom of each sheet would be a statement, “If you would like a copy of this sheet to take home, please ask our staff.” This will ensure that parents are given the VIS sheets to read prior to vaccine administration. It will also help save paper. Our experience is that many parents throw out the VIS documents or leave them behind in the waiting room. Is this an acceptable procedure?

Documenting Vaccination

Our large pediatric practice is struggling with the requirement to provide Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) to the parents of every child we vaccinate. We would like to create a re-usable packet of laminated VIS sheets (fastened together on a ring). We plan to place a packet in each exam room for parents to read prior to vaccine administration. On the bottom of each sheet would be a statement, “If you would like a copy of this sheet to take home, please ask our staff.” This will ensure that parents are given the VIS sheets to read prior to vaccine administration. It will also help save paper. Our experience is that many parents throw out the VIS documents or leave them behind in the waiting room. Is this an acceptable procedure?

Your solution will meet the spirit of the federal law, as long as you make sure to encourage the patient (or parent) to take home a paper copy of the VIS and to refer to it if needed (e.g., if they need to know what to do if there is an adverse event or how to contact VAERS).

Last reviewed: June 6, 2023

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