Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
1. Describe a method for verifying the accuracy of school immunization records as compared to provider records.
2. Understand the limitations of using school records to determine immunization status as compared to provider records.


Background:
The immunization data from schools that is required to be reported by State Immunization Programs to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can be used to identify pockets of need. When school survey rates are reported, concern regarding whether school immunization records accurately reflect provider records is often raised.

Objectives:
To determine if immunization status assessed by auditing kindergarten school records could be verified by provider records


Methods:
For each school included in the 2005/2006 school survey a random sample of six kindergartners and 2 alternates was drawn. Provider records were obtained for these children by first accessing the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS), then any local immunization registry that was available and lastly private provider records. If the child was determined to be up to date by either CIIS or the local registry no additional records were obtained.

Results:
89.7% of kindergarteners that were up-to-date in school records could be verified as up-to-date in provider records. 56.0% of kindergartners who were not up-to-date in school records were found to be up-to-date in their provider records

Conclusions:
Almost 90% of kindergartners who were up-to-date in their school records were confirmed as up-to-date in provider records. Over half of the children classified as not up-to-date were found to actually be up-to-date in their provider records. Of the kindergartners who were not up-to-date in school records 46.4% were found to be up-to-date in CIIS. School personnel having access to CIIS could reclassify 46% of children not up to date thus eliminating the associated tasks necessary to bring this child up-to-date.