Factors Associated with Reporting a Child's Vaccination History to An Immunization Information System, National Immunization Survey 2006-2008

Background: Immunization information systems (IISs) are confidential, computerized information systems that collect and consolidate vaccination data from multiple health-care providers, generate reminder and recall notifications, and assess vaccination coverage within a defined geographic area.

Objectives: To examine the frequency in which medical providers report to IIS and to assess factors associated with provider use of an IIS.

Methods: Data from 51,396 children 19-35 months of age sampled by the 2006-2008 National Immunization Survey (NIS) were used. Data on statewide provider site participation in the IIS and use of HL7 came from the 2006-2008 IISAR. Use of an IIS was defined as having ≥1 providers report to or obtain vaccination data from an IIS. Additional variables included whether the providers ordered vaccine from a health department, facility type, receipt of WIC benefits, and poverty status of the child. Multivariable logistic regression were conducted using SAS/SUDAAN to assess what factors were associated with having vaccination data reported to the IIS and if reporting vaccination data to an IIS was associated with higher levels of vaccination coverage.

Results: Overall, 48.2% of children had ≥1 providers report their vaccination data to an IIS. After controlling for other variables in the model, children with providers who ordered vaccine from a health department, were currently receiving WIC benefits and those who went to public providers were also more likely to have their vaccination data reported to an IIS. When examining whether reporting to an IIS was associated with vaccination coverage, it was found that children with ≥1 providers who report their vaccination data to an IIS have slightly higher rates of coverage for the 4:3:1:3:3 series (81.08% vs. 79.13%, p=0.03).

Conclusions: Data suggest that there may be opportunities to increase provider use of IIS, particularly among private providers, those who do not see WIC patients, or order vaccine from health departments.