Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
1. Understand the fundamental tasks involved in the creation of a common data profile for the exchange of HL7 messages among immunization registries or between registries and other electronic applications such as EMRs

Background:
California has nine regional immunization registries. The registries are unable to exchange information electronically. The creation of a common data profile was the foundation for the overall project to interface the registries.

Setting:
Regional immunization registries, large health care organizations and private provider groups.

Population:
Children with records in the regional immunization registries.

Project Description:
The California Department of Health Services Immunization Branch, acting on behalf of the California regional immunization registries coordinated the effort to create a common data profile for CA to enable the exchange of immuniation data among the registries. The profile has been registered with HL7, and is the first of its kind to be developed.

Results/Lessons Learned:
Vocabulary differences among regional immunization registries must be resolved in order to successfully create a common data profile for the exchange of information. Existing HL7 versions for immunization do not necessarily meet existing needs for information exchange.