Current status of immunization information systems in the USA

A national goal for 2010 is to achieve >95% participation in immunization information systems (IIS) among children aged <6 years. IIS (immunization registries), are confidential, computerized information systems that collect and consolidate all vaccination data on all children from all immunization providers within a defined geo-political area. All CDC-funded IIS are required to have twelve technology-neutral functional standards approved by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee that enable data for physician decision support, reminder-recall notifications, and coverage assessment reports. Most IISs have additional capabilities, such as vaccine management, adverse event reporting, maintenance of birth-to-death vaccination histories, and interoperability with other health information systems. The CDC Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) covers approximately half of the US birth cohort, with an estimated total of nearly 40 million children aged 0-18 during 2008. Vaccine purchases for this program are approximately $2B annually (excluding the newly licensed HPV vaccine). IIS are needed to provide operational support to VFC immunization programs, providers, patients, and parents by: automating evidence-based strategies; producing real-time data to ensure that children born every year, plus adolescents, and adults are protected, and by assisting immunization programs to deploy their resources efficiently and effectively.

As of December 31, 2006, 65% of the nation's children <6 years of age; 66% of adolescents 11-18 years; and 18% of adults >19 years of age are participating in an IIS.

In addition, more than 36,000 public and private practice sites are participating in an IIS. Specific examples of the uses of IIS data will be illustrated.