What are immunization registries?

Immunization registries are computerized information systems that collect vaccination histories and help ensure correct and timely immunizations, especially for children.

Children typically are entered into a registry at birth, often at first contact with the health-care system. If a registry includes all children in a given geographical area and all providers are reporting on-going immunization information, a registry can provide a single data source for all community immunization partners. Immunization registries also can be used to enhance adult immunization services and coverage.

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What are some of the benefits of immunization registries?

Immunization registries can be extremely helpful, if not essential, to maintaining the current high immunization coverage. This is true particularly since disease levels are at record lows and do not serve as a constant reminder to patients/practitioners of the need for timely immunization. Some of the benefits of immunization registries include:

• Record Consolidation - Combines immunization information from different sources into a single record and provides official immunization records for school, day care and camp entry requirements.
• Decision Support - Helps providers and parents determine when immunizations are due and helps ensure that children get only the vaccines they need.
• Reminder/Recall System - Reminds families when an immunization is due or has been missed. This function is important in keeping children up-to-date.
• Provider Information Source - Keeps health care providers informed about new vaccines and changes in the recommended schedule.
• Identification of High-Risk Areas - Identifies children susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases and promotes immunization efforts in their communities.

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Is my child's personal information secure?

Yes. A registry must protect the privacy of all its clients, including children, families and providers. To make sure this happens, the NC Immunization Registry (NCIR) follows the privacy specifications developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These privacy specifications protect the privacy of registry users and the confidentiality of the registry information. The specifications include:

• Confidentiality Policies - All registries must have a written policy that is consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Confidentiality Agreements - All providers or their employees must sign an agreement to comply with the written specifications.
• Notification - Parents must be notified of the existence of the registry, what information will be contained in it, and how the information will be used.
• Use of Registry Information - Registry information must only be used for its intended purpose and not be used in a punitive manner.
• Access to and Disclosure of Registry Information - Policies must clearly define who has access to registry information.
• Penalties for Unauthorized Disclosure - Policies must define what constitutes a breach of confidentiality. Penalties must be enforced.
• Data Retention - Policies must address the period of time that registry information will be held.

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Should I track my (or my child's) vaccinations?

Yes, you really should create and keep these records. In North Carolina, it is the responsibility of the parents of school-aged children, not family doctors, to provide vaccination records to the health departments and to schools.

Today, we move, travel and change health providers more than we did in previous generations. Also, doctor's offices and clinics store records of children's vaccinations and the dates they were received only for a few years. If you keep an accurate record, you will be more likely to remember when to bring your children in for the next visit. These records can also prove that your children are up to date with their immunizations. In North Carolina, children are not allowed to enter school or childcare unless they can prove that they meet all school immunization requirements, or present a valid religious or medical exemption to the school or childcare center.

Your doctor's office or clinic will be happy to give you an immunization record form for your use. Bring this record with you whenever you take your child to the doctor or clinic, and ask the doctor to sign and date the form each time a vaccination is given. That way, you can be sure that the immunization information is current and correct.  

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