Setting National Policies and Standards for Immunization Information Systems

Abstract

Immunization Information Systems (IIS) are confidential, computerized, population-based systems that collect and consolidate vaccination data from vaccination providers and provide important tools for designing and sustaining effective immunization strategies (National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Immunization information systems [Internet]. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). At the point of clinical care, an IIS can provide consolidated immunization histories for use by a vaccination provider in determining appropriate client vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with key stakeholders, works to ensure IIS are responsive to the needs of the Immunization programs at all levels of government and that these systems take advantage of advances in technology and are aligned with national data and exchange standards. CDC’s Immunization program publishes IIS Minimum Functional Standards that provides a framework for the development of IIS through 2017 that describes specific standards that address the IIS programmatic goals, and operational and technical capacities that all IIS should achieve by the end of 2017. These standards were developed through a consensus process from a variety of IIS managers and technical experts from across the US. Several examples of data, standards and systems are provided for each functional standard. This chapter also will examine various policy and technology drivers such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) EHR Incentive Programs’ Meaningful Use criteria.