Information for Students
Vaccination Information
Why Should I get Vaccinated?
Vaccinations are important, and it’s important to make sure that you stay up to date with them. Before you graduate is the perfect time to make sure that you have all of your required vaccines. Not only will some higher-education institutions require vaccine records, but vaccines are made more affordable to children under the age of 18. Take advantage of this before it’s too late! For more information about catching up on vaccines, look at the “What Do I Need to Do Now?” section or the “Helpful Resources” section.
What Do I Need to Do Now?
Although you may not know what vaccines you have or have not had, there are easy resources to find out and get back on track! Here are some helpful tools:
- Vaccination Schedule: This document provides information regarding proper timing for vaccinations. It is published by the Louisiana Department of Health and is reviewed and updated annually. To download, click here.
- Vaccination Records: To find an up to date record of what vaccinations you’ve had, you can request vaccine records from the Louisiana Department of Health. The step by step instructions can be found here.
- Vaccine Finder: If you need help finding somewhere to get a vaccine, you can use the CDC’s “Vaccine Finder” tool. Just enter your zip code and you’ll get a list of which locations are closest to you.
Helpful Resources
For a full list of trusted sources of information related to vaccines, look at the VBYG homepage.
Vaccine Myths:
There are many common misconceptions about vaccinations. Check out this page from the Louisiana Vaccine Alliance which gives some of the facts about vaccines.
Evaluating Online Resources:
Questions You Should Ask:
– Who manages this information?
The person or group that has published health information online should be identified on the website.
– Who is paying to promote the information and what is their motivation?
You should be able to find this in the “About Us” section.
– What is the original source of the online information?
If the information was originally published in another source such as a research journal or a book, it should be identified so you can find the original source.
– How is information reviewed before it gets posted?
Most health information publications have someone with medical or research credentials (e.g., someone who has earned an MD, DO, or PhD) review the information before it gets posted, to make sure it is correct. This information should be noted on the website.
– How current is the information?
Online health information sources should display a date when the information was posted or last reviewed.
– If they are asking for personal information, how will they use that information and how will they protect your privacy?
This is very important. Do not share personal information until you understand the policies under which it will be used and you are comfortable with any risk involved in sharing your information online.