Progress in immunization information systems - United States, 2012

Abstract

Immunization information systems (IIS) are confidential, computerized, population-based systems that collect and consolidate vaccination data from vaccination providers that can be used in designing and sustaining effective immunization strategies. To monitor progress toward achieving IIS program goals, CDC annually surveys immunization program grantees using the IIS Annual Report (IISAR). Results from the 2012 IISAR, completed by 54 of 56 grantees, indicate that 86% (19.5 million) of U.S. children aged <6 years, and 25% (57.8 million) of U.S. adults participated in IIS. Eight of 12 minimum functional standards for IIS published by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) have been met by ≥90% of grantees. During 2011-2012, progress was also made in meeting three additional functional standards, including the presence of core data element fields, timeliness of vaccine records, and Health Level 7 (HL7) messaging, and will be monitored in new functional standards for IIS published in 2013. Several new and ongoing initiatives, including interoperability between IIS and electronic health records (i.e., ensuring systems can work together and exchange information), the use of IIS to support vaccine ordering and inventory management, the use of two-dimensional barcodes to record vaccination information, and collaboration with pharmacies, federal agencies, and other adult vaccination providers, will support further progress in meeting functional standards and enhance reporting of adult vaccinations to IIS.

FIGURE 1

Percentage of children aged <6 years participating in an immunization information system (IIS)^* — United States, five cities,^† and the District of Columbia (DC), 2012 ^* Child participation is defined as having two or more vaccinations for children aged <6 years documented in the IIS. National child participation = 86%. ^†Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Houston, Texas; and San Antonio, Texas.

FIGURE 2

Percentage of adults aged ≥19 years participating in an immunization information system (IIS)^* — United States, five cities,^† and the District of Columbia (DC), 2012 ^* Adult participation is defined as having one or more vaccinations administered to adults aged ≥19 years documented in an IIS. National adult participation = 25%. ^†Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Houston, Texas; and San Antonio, Texas.

FIGURE 3

Percentage of immunization program grantees meeting National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) functional standards (FS) for immunization information systems (IIS),^* United States, 2011 and 2012 ^*The standards include FS1: presence of a field for data collection of all 18 required NVAC core data elements; FS2: establishment of a newborn birth record within an average time of 6 weeks or less; FS3: ability to access patients’ immunization information from the IIS during a patient encounter; FS4: receiving and processing ≥70% of vaccine and other immunization encounter information within 30 days of vaccine administration; FS5: implementation of a written confidentiality policy; FS6: implementation of a written security policy; FS7: meeting basic Health Level 7 messaging functionality; FS8: presence of forecasting algorithm; FS9: ability to run reminder and recall notifications; FS10: ability to produce immunization coverage reports by providers, age groups, and geographic areas upon request; FS11: ability to produce official immunization records; and FS12: presence of a patient-level de-duplication algorithm. Additional information available at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/func-stds-2001.html.