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Facts About Vaccines

How do I know if I’m already immune to a disease?

There are two main ways to determine your disease immunity:

First, check your vaccine history.

Michigan healthcare professionals use the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) to track the immunizations given to Michiganders throughout life.All Michigan residents are able to request a copy of their immunization record from MCIR through your physician, local health department, mail or fax.

In limited instances, another option may be to get a titer test.

A titer test is a laboratory blood test that checks for the presence of certain antibodies. It is used to see if someone is immune to a certain virus or needs vaccination. There are limitations of titers/blood tests in determining levels of immunity. While a titer test can check for antibodies, the presence of antibodies does not equal immunity. Because many vaccines protect against many different strains of disease, a titer test may not accurately show that you are protected against all the strains contained in the vaccine.

The CDC does not recommend titer testing for proving immunity due to the accuracy of the results. In Michigan, titer test results can only be accepted for supporting immunity for certain diseases, including Hepatitis A, diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella. These results may be dependent on additional immunity components such as exposure history.

Vaccination is still the surest way to build immunity. Your physician will determine whether or not a titer test is recommended.

Sources:
Michigan Care Improvement Registry
Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania: Can a blood test replace a vaccine dose?

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You’ve got questions. That’s a good thing.

As parents, determining how best to protect our children can be overwhelming and confusing. We’re here to help.

Related Questions

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What’s my risk of getting measles?

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I’ve been exposed to someone who has measles. What should I do?

Immediately call your healthcare provider and let them know that you have been exposed to someone who has measles…

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About I Vaccinate

I Vaccinate provides information and tools based on real medical science and research to help Michigan parents protect their kids. Support is provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Franny Strong Foundation.

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You’ve got questions. That’s a good thing.

As parents, determining how best to protect our children can be overwhelming and confusing. We’re here to help.

©2021 Franny Strong Foundation | All rights reserved

Recommended Immunization Schedules

These schedules list the age or age range when each vaccine or series of shots is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If your child (birth through 6 years old) or adolescent (age 7 through 18 years old) has missed any shots, talk to your child’s doctor about getting back on track.

Vaccine Schedule Based On Your Child’s Birthday
Make sure your child is immunized on schedule. For a complete list of recommended immunizations, just select your child’s birth date.
From the CDC

Immunization Tracker
This print-friendly chart helps you track your child’s vaccinations at each appointment.
From the CDC

Michigan School & childcare Immunization Requirements

Request your child’s immunization record

The Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR), is an immunization registry managed by MDHHS and reported to by immunization providers. MCIR allows healthcare providers or individuals to access their immunization records regardless of their location in Michigan. This system also helps to track local and state immunization rates of Michigan residents to ensure immunity to vaccine-preventable illnesses. MCIR is a lifespan registry that includes infant through adult records.

For your appointment

Before, during, and after pregnancy protection
When you’re pregnant, you share everything with your baby. That means when you get vaccines, you aren’t just protecting yourself — you are giving your baby some early protection, too. The CDC has guidelines for the vaccines you and your baby need before, during, and after pregnancy.
From the CDC

Get prepared: Before, during, and after your child’s appointment
There are things you can do before, during and after your child’s appointment to make them easier and less stressful for both of you.
From the CDC

Mobile app from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia created a free mobile app called Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know so you can access credible, science-based information from wherever and whenever you need it.


Find your local Michigan public health department or immunization clinic
See the directory of Michigan’s 45 local public health departments for more information on your child’s immunization record and where to get them vaccinated.

Other Vaccination Organizations & Advocates

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines to parents and healthcare professionals.

Shot by Shot
Stories of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases is a collection of stories from people who have been touched by vaccine-preventable diseases.

Voices for Vaccines
Voices for Vaccines is a parent-led organization that supports and advocates for on-time vaccination and the reduction of vaccine-preventable disease.

Seattle Mama Doc: A Blog by Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson
Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson is a practicing pediatrician and the mother of two young boys. She practices at The Everett Clinic in Mill Creek, Washington, is on the medical staff at Seattle Children’s and is a clinical instructor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington.

Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases
PKIDs’ mission is to educate the public about infectious diseases, the methods of prevention and transmission, the latest advances in medicine, and the elimination of social stigma borne by the infected; and to assist the families of the children living with hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, or other chronic, viral infectious diseases with emotional, financial and informational support.

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