KEYWORDS:
Immunization Registries, Provider Participation

BACKGROUND:
The Michigan Childhood Immunization Registry (MCIR) was established through a requirement in the Michigan Public Health Code in 1996, and became effective on January 15, 1997.
The registry consists of an electronic database of children born after January 1, 1994, including children up to age 20. Health care providers may transfer or directly enter immunizations. The data is accessible only to authorized users.
Michigan is divided into six regions, each with staff to coordinate registry activities for designated counties. Region 4 covers nine counties with (2) two support staff, maintaining 100% of its immunization providers registered, with over 89% regularly submitting immunization data.

OBJECTIVE:
Offer a sample plan that communities can use as a guide to maximize public and private immunization provider participation in a registry.

METHOD:
The Region 4 MCIR office maintains participation by implementing the following steps:
1. Collaboration.
2. Provider Identification.
3. Communication.
4. Provider registration.
5. Participation.
6. Database development.
7. Data quality assessments.
8. More communication.
9. Follow-up and follow-through.
10. Rewards and Recognition.

RESULT:
Following the implementation steps, the regional office has successfully registered all immunization providers and encourages regular provider participation. Constant communication and collaboration through meetings, coalition involvement, phone calls and mailings allow the regional office to keep updated records, educating new providers as needed.

CONCLUSION:
Establishing an implementation plan utilizing existing channels can maximize provider participation in immunization registries.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Participants will learn implementation steps that will help increase provider participation in immunization registries.