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Finding Trusted Sources on the Web

It can be hard to distinguish which websites are credible and trustworthy when it comes to information about vaccines. Often we judge a website by its flashy elements, cute photos, high-profile celebrity endorsements or general functionality. Just as we can't judge a book by its cover, we must dig into a website in order to learn if it is a good source of credible information.

Here are some tips to help you evaluate if a website is credible and trustworthy:

Find the “About Us” link on the site – This is usually at the very top or the very bottom of the home page. Read what the site says their purpose is and what they believe in. Also read the organization's mission to glean more information.
Google the authors on the site – Learn more about the site contributor's qualifications, credentials and connections to the subject.
Look for a profit bias - Is the site selling or promoting a product? Does the site take a stand on an issue without being clear that they are an advocacy site? Bias is not necessarily bad, but it should be stated clearly and with intent.
Check the dates on the information – Especially in vaccine research it is imperative that the information on the site is current and accurate. New vaccine information, findings and discoveries are constantly being published. Make sure you are reading the most current research and data.
See the destination of site links and the site’s sponsors – Click around and see what the site is endorsing and linking to as credible sources. Also look for sponsors on the site as these are a strong indicator of what organizations agree with the site's mission.
If it is a nonprofit organization, look up their Guidestar profile - Guidestar is a free online database of over 1.8 million IRS recognized tax-exempt organizations. This site pulls together IRS information on the organization's donors, financial stability and more. See where an organization is getting their funding.
Contact the site – If you are still unsure of a site's credibility send them a note asking them to send you more information.

To make this even easier, CCIC has included a list of endorsed sites that we trust for information and a list of sites that believe have questionable content.

CCIC Endorsed Sites

This list represents organizations that support the science of vaccines. CCIC is including this list of sites to offer parents and providers a resource to make an informed choice on immunizations for children.

Sites that Question Vaccine Safety and Efficacy

This list represent organizations that question vaccine safety and efficiently. CCIC has finds that these sites are often poorly documented, hold unstated bias or go against our belief that science and the latest research should be used as the basis for decision-making when it comes to childhood vaccinations. CCIC does NOT endorse the information contained in these websites. CCIC is including these sites to inform parents and providers of both sides of the issue and to offer guidance on what is a trustworthy site for vaccine information.

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