Use of Immunization Information Systems During the 2009 – 2010 Pandemic H1N1 Vaccination Campaign: A Survey of Immunization Program Managers

Background:  Researchers from Emory University and the Association of Immunization Managers conducted a survey of U.S. immunization program managers (IPMs) regarding management of the 2009 - 2010 H1N1 vaccination campaign.  The survey is part of a larger project aimed at improving public health preparedness against future emergencies in which leveraging the vaccine system may be useful.

Objectives:  Explore the use of immunization information systems (IIS) by immunization programs during the H1N1 vaccination campaign, focusing on provider participation in IIS, provider use of IIS, and IIS functionalities of greatest benefit to immunization programs during the campaign.

Methods: The survey was administered via email to 64 state/city/territorial IPMs in June 2010. Data were analyzed using SAS, version 9.2 (Cary, NC).

Results: Eighty-four percent (54/64) of IPMs responded to the survey.  Fifty-seven percent (31/54) of IPMs indicated provider registration in their IIS was a precondition for receiving H1N1 vaccine.  Forty-nine percent (25/51) indicated data entry into their IIS was mandatory for providers, and 44% (20/45) indicated providers were generally compliant with entering data into their IIS.  Program managers who indicated IIS data entry was mandatory for providers were more likely to report provider compliance with entering data into IIS than IPMs who indicated data entry was not mandatory (p=0.06).  Activities in which IPMs believed IIS to be most valuable included tracking vaccine coverage rates, tracking vaccine inventory, supporting mass immunization clinics, and reminder/recall for follow-up doses. 

Conclusions:  During the H1N1 vaccination campaign, many immunization programs urged vaccine providers to register with their IIS before receiving vaccine; with half making data entry mandatory.  Improving provider participation in IIS during an emergency like an influenza pandemic can enhance immunization programs’ ability to respond to and manage vaccine shortages and other vaccine-related public health emergencies in the future.