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Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:55 AM
2

Shots across the border: Developing a communication protocol for binational immunization tracking efforts

Anne Cordon1, Kathleen W. Gustafson1, Ileana Rubio2, Jennifer Wieder-Gamez2, and Mark H. Sawyer2. (1) San Diego Immunization Program, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, PO Box 85222, Mail Stop P511B, 3851 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, CA, USA, (2) San Diego Immunization Partnership, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0927, La Jolla, CA, USA


BACKGROUND:
Immunization registries exist throughout the United States, including the states along our international borders, and also in neighboring countries. For example, Mexico’s Institute of Social Security Administration (ISSA) Immunization Registry is implemented across that vast country. Public health officials have agreed to collaborate on developing a communication infrastructure for the sharing of cross-border children’s immunization records. Specifically, San Diego County and Tijuana public health officials have been actively discussing communication and coordination of immunization activities.

OBJECTIVE:
To develop and implement a communication protocol for tracking and sharing children’s immunization information between health care providers in San Diego and Tijuana.

METHOD:
Develop position papers based on meetings of the Binational Immunization Initiative (BII) with public health officials in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico and San Diego, California. Submit proposals to funding sources to request resources for planning and implementation of communication protocol.

RESULT:
Local and state officials on both sides of the border are supportive of the BII efforts and activities. Staff orientations to both immunization registries were conducted to highlight similarities and differences between the two systems. Recent turnover in staff on both sides of the border temporarily slowed down the progress of implementation of the protocol, but efforts are again being made to regain momentum.

CONCLUSION:
Relationship development is critical to a successful process. National and international issues such as frequent travel and the provision of health care for immigrants may appear to be almost insurmountable. However, working at the local county/ city level allows immunization counterparts to come together to learn about each others’efforts, including how their respective immunization registries work.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Participants will become more familiar with methods, approaches and issues around immunization tracking across international borders.

[ Recorded presentation ]   Recorded presentation

See more of Immunization Tracking in a Mobile Culture
See more of The 2004 Immunization Registry Conference