Use of Immunization Data and Automated Mapping Techniques to Target Public Health Outreach Programs

Abstract

The Arizona Department of Health Services is implementing the Arizona State Immunization Information System (ASUS). As immunization data are collected at the central registry, questions arise as to how to use this information to support immunization action plans that target the prevention of disease. A 1992 pertussis outbreak occurring in Arizona along the California and Mexican borders was used to demonstrate the value of registries and integrated analysis tools, specifically illustrating how individuals susceptible to this disease could be identified using the registry along with census and outbreak data. To accomplish this a geographical information system (GIS) product was integrated with ASIIS. Geographic representation of information allowed immunization coordinators to determine visually where the outbreaks had occurred, where children were underimmunized and hence susceptible to the disease. Because not all children were in the immunization registry, census data were used to identify the areas where the greatest number of children lived. This technical approach illustrated the need, value, and impact of integrating related data sources to support immunization initiatives. The visual aspect of a GIS display offered an enhanced understanding of the disease outbreak. This type of automated tool was determined to be useful to target resources supporting population-based registries.