AUGUSTA — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is warning Mainers of a flyer appearing to come from the federal Center for Disease Control.

The flyer claims to outline a list of "known vaccine side effects" without providing references or citing any sources, according to a Feb. 11 news release from the CDC.

Additionally, the website listed as CDC.org is not an active website, nor is it supported by the federal CDC.

The flyers are known to have been circulating through big box stores in Southern Maine. The flyers were not issued or endorsed by the Maine CDC or federal CDC.

"Misleading flyers such as these are concerning, especially when that information pertains to something as important to public health as vaccines," said Maine CDC Director Dr. Bruce Bates, in the release. "I encourage anyone who comes across one of these flyers to disregard it."

In the United States, vaccines are thoroughly tested and then continuously monitored to ensure ongoing safety, the CDC said. 

For information regarding vaccine side effects, visit cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm

For information regarding Maine's Immunization Program, visit maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/immunization/