KEYWORDS:
Registry Recruitment, Public, Private & Community Partnerships

BACKGROUND:
The Finger Lakes Area Immunization Registry (FLAIR) covers an eleven county region. Counties include Monroe with a population of 716,072 and Schuyler, with a population of 19,125. In recruiting for this region the approaches need to be as varied as the populations themselves. There are two, however, common denominators. Each of the eleven counties has an IAP contact within their health department for the registry. There is also regional state representation, which work heartily for the registry, through the VFC program and NYSIIS. While the day to day mechanics and disciplines of the contacts positions vary, they feel the pulse of the community and are able to be eyes and ears for the registry.

OBJECTIVE(S):
Demonstrate how community partnerships, in concert with local and state representatives, are imperative in the successful recruitment and deployment of an Immunization Registry.

METHOD(S):
As the Immunization Registry has been moved from the health departments into the community, partnerships have been developed. These partnerships began in the County Health Departments and with NYS DOH representatives and have grown to include health care consortiums and professional groups. The partnerships are maintained formally and informally. Informal maintenance is through phone and email contact. Formally, through user meetings and inclusion in forums and meetings. Each of the partnerships provides "leads" for potential participants and also act as references for new participants. The partnerships within FLAIR have been the most valuable public relations tool for our region.

RESULT(S):
The effectiveness of the Public, Private and Community Partnerships has been the deciding factor in the growth of FLAIR.

CONCLUSIONS(S):
It is essential for the success of an Immunization Registry that community partnerships are cultivated and maintained.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To better understand how to cultivate and maintain partnerships to facilitate the recruitment process for an Immunization Registry.