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H1N1 Training and Information (updated: 9/28/09 )

H1N1 Influenza information on DSHS website

ImmTrac Menu Information for PARENTS Information for PROVIDERS Information for PAYORS Information for BIRTH REGISTRARS Information for FIRST RESPONDERS	Provider Registration Packet (updated: 3/26/09 )
ImmTrac training for SCHOOL NURSES (archive copy) Note: Enter your name and email, a password is not required.

• Authorization to Release ImmTrac History Form F11-11406, Rev. 07/09
• "Keep Track of your Child's Vaccines with ImmTrac" - informative video for parents
• "Effective Use of ImmTrac" ad in Texas Family Physician magazine (1 Pg, 340 Kb)
• "Thank you, Birth Registrars" ad in Texas Hospitals magazine (1 Pg, 195 Kb)
• NIC Poster 2007 National Immunization Conference (1 Pg, 112 Kb)
• ImmTrac Educational Materials
• Information about House Bill 1921 (1 Pg, 63 Kb)
• For the Record... August 2006 (4 Pgs, 156 Kb) ImmTrac User Newsletter
• Registration Packet for Providers and Schools
• ImmTrac Consent Form (C-7) (1 Pg, 38 Kb)
  Do Not use this form to report ImmTrac consent collected
  during the birth certificate registration process.
• ImmTrac Frequently Asked Questions
• History of ImmTrac
• Links to Immunization Registry Sites and Issues
• 2006 Report on Plans to Increase Immunization Rates in Texas (30 Pgs, 216 Kb)
• Withdrawal of Consent and Confirmation Form Stock # C-8, Rev. 06/07
• First Responder/Family Member Withdrawal of Consent and Confirmation Form Stock # C-5, Rev. 05/09

Introduction

ImmTrac is the Texas immunization registry developed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). ImmTrac is a free, confidential registry designed to consolidate immunization records from multiple providers and store a child’s immunization information electronically in one secure central system. ImmTrac offers physicians and other healthcare providers and authorized users easy online access to a child’s immunization history. The Registry is part of a DSHS initiative to increase vaccination coverage for children across Texas. With written parental consent, the ImmTrac Registry receives vaccination information for a child from private and public healthcare providers across the state, including input from the Vital Statistics Unit of DSHS, Women, Infant and Children (WIC) clinics, Medicaid, the Texas-Wide Integrated Client Encounter System (TWICES), and health plans. Upon registration with ImmTrac, immunization information is available to schools, licensed child-care facilities, local health departments, public health districts, payors, and state agencies having legal custody of a child. Parents may request their child's ImmTrac record from their physician or their local health department.

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History of ImmTrac

ImmTrac came into being as a response to a serious public health problem. Measles cases took a dramatic and costly upswing between 1989-1991, with over 55,000 cases reported nationwide. The outbreak resulted in an estimated 11,000 hospitalizations and 130 deaths. The measles resurgence was attributed primarily to a failure to vaccinate preschool-aged children on time, in this case early during the second year of life. According to Dr. David Smith, then Texas Commissioner of Health, Texas reported 9,400 measles cases and 26 deaths associated with measles between 1988 and 1992.

In the spring of 1993 TDH became a national leader in a campaign to increase childhood vaccination coverage. The 73rd Legislature of Texas passed Senate Bill 266, a childhood immunization law mandating the age-appropriate immunization of every child in Texas. That year the TDH Immunization Division performed a ‘Retrospective School Entered Survey' on the kindergartners around the state. These reports showed that getting children immunized was not the problem. The problem was immunizing them at an appropriate age. Study results showed that only 43% of the kindergartners had received the required number immunizations by 2 years of age. It was clear that this group of very young children needed special attention, especially since 79% of childhood vaccines are required before the second birthday.

On a national level in 1993, President Clinton initiated the Childhood Immunization Incentive (CII), a comprehensive national response to under-vaccination. The CII established a framework of areas of activity for meeting the nation's immunization goals for 1996 and beyond. Included in these activity areas were recommendations for development of computerized state vaccination registry systems. As part of the CII, The US Dept. of Health and Human services initiated the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program in 1994 to reduce vaccine cost as a barrier to vaccination.

In July of 1993, The Texas Department of Human Services announced that they would reimburse Medicaid providers for immunizing Medicaid patients. As part of Texas' new immunization initiative, and to facilitate the capture and processing of immunization and Medicaid billing data, the Bureau of Automated Data Services at TDH began developing an Interim Immunization Billing and Tracking System (IIBTS). The database structure and hardware used in the Interim System were designed to handle the subset of data for immunizations given in the public sector. Because of its reduced scope, the IS served as a prototype for the system, but was not able to handle the estimated 42,000,000 records expected in the full system.

During the summer of 1993 research was started to evaluate the requirements and impact of a state-wide Immunization Tracking System (ITS). In February of 1994, TDH released a Request for Information (RFI) to continue the evaluation and justification process for an immunization registry system. Using the data collected from the RFI responses, TDH released an Invitation for Bid (IFB) in June of 1994 to the qualifying vendors. On Aug. 17, 1994, Electronic Data Systems (EDS), a private information technology provider, was awarded the ITS project, and the ImmTrac project was initiated.

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ImmTrac Information for Parents

How does ImmTrac work?

When a health-care provider gives your child an immunization, and you consent to registering this information, the statewide immunization registry, known as ImmTrac, is notified. ImmTrac will keep an electronic immunization record on your child. Some information contained in the registry are the child's name, date-of-birth, address, the name of the parent or guardian, information on the shots given, and who gave them. Optional (but very helpful) information stored in ImmTrac is the child's Social Security number and mother's maiden name. This optional information helps prevent duplicate records from being created.

How does ImmTrac help to protect my child?

Providers authorized to use ImmTrac can see what immunizations your child has already had, even if they were given in another city or county. So when you come in for shots, your child gets only those that he or she needs.

This means that your child won't be under-vaccinated and more susceptible to diseases.

Your child won't be over-vaccinated either, so he or she does not have to go through any more discomfort than is necessary.

ImmTrac can also print out a shot record you can use to get your child into school or childcare.

Using ImmTrac, immunization providers can remind you to bring your child in for shots that are due, or to notify you about shots that are overdue.

Who has access to the information?

Your privacy is protected. Your child's immunization information is available only to persons authorized by law to see it. Only doctors, schools, childcare centers, and public health providers with ImmTrac-issued identification numbers and passwords may view the information.

How do I register my child?

To register your child for ImmTrac participation you must grant consent in writing by:

• completing, signing, and mailing or faxing to ImmTrac this Immunization Registry (ImmTrac) Consent Form (C-7) , along with copies of any immunization records you have for your child. You may mail the Consent Form to:
  
  Texas Department of State Health Service
  ImmTrac Group T-301
  1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756
  
  or FAX to:
  (512) 458-7290 (Austin)
  (866) 624-0180 (toll free)
  
• completing and signing the ImmTrac Registration Form offered by the birth registrar during the birth certificate process (newborn children only).
  
• calling the Immunization Branch at (800) 252-9152 to request an ImmTrac Consent Form.

Consent is required to be obtained only one time, and is valid until the child becomes 18 years of age, unless the consent is withdrawn in writing.

How can I find more information on ImmTrac?

Call: 800.252.9152
Email: ImmTrac@dshs.state.tx.us
Write to: DSHS Immunization Branch 1100 West 49th St. Austin, TX 78756

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Last Updated March 17, 2009