How Immunization Registries Develop Core Data Elements in Their Data Bases: A Discussion Paper

Abstract

A community-based immunization registry is an essential tool for the attainment and maintenance of optimal immunization rates among preschool children. While local community-level effort is necessary to create such registries, the challenge to do so rapidly becomes regional and even national in scope. This reflects the notion that, in the long run, immunization registries must, at some level, be compatible with one another. This article briefly outlines the process that one local immunization registry undertook to collaborate with others on the development of core data elements. What began as a local effort in San Diego rapidly grew to one involving the sharing of plans and information in many western states. Lessons learned include the value of registry developers to agree on norms for data elements, the need to allow for unique local functionality in registry development, and the need to continuously collaborate with others at the state and regional levels to assure ultimately compatible systems.