Immunization Newsbriefs © Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii’s new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

 

November 5, 2001

 

 

 

“Registry for Shots Online”

Government Computer News Online (www.gcn.com) (10/01/01); Walsh,

Trudy

According to the World Health Organization, 96 percent of American children are vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and polio by four years of age.  However, officials in San Diego County note that in some parts of the county, 22 percent of preschool-age children are underimmunized, overimmunized, or not immunized at all.  Nahid Rastakhiz of the county’s immunization registry points out that while children generally receive about 20 shots in the first two years, some “parents often think they are up to date with the child’s immunizations, and they’re not.”  To resolve the problems that can occur when families move around, switch doctors, or simply lose track of vaccination records, San Diego County is working on a prototype Web version of the immunization registry—one that will be able to compile medical histories from a number of medical providers.  Once the online registry—which will be secured with firewalls and passwords—is complete, some 200 health officials will have access to the information using their Internet browser.  Parents will be able to indicate if they do not want their child’s record be shared with anyone else, and the online registry will also give parents a “vaccine forecast,” alerting them to when the next vaccine is needed.

 

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.