Immunization Information Systems Annual Report (IISAR) Data Overview

The Immunization Information Systems Annual Report (IISAR) is an annual assessment conducted by CDC, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), of Immunization Information Systems (IIS) activity among the 64 immunization program grantees that receive funding under section 317b of the Public Health Service Act. Grantees include the 50 states, 5 cities, the District of Columbia (D.C.) and 8 Territories.

The IISAR is a self-administered web-based questionnaire completed by immunization program managers as part of their annual reporting requirement. Grantees are asked to provide information about their IIS, such as:

• the number of children aged less than 6 years with two or more vaccinations recorded in the IIS
• public and private provider participation levels
• fulfillment of minimum functional standards
• other IIS-related programmatic functions

Our mission is to give access to these data and to assist in facilitating the use of these data for public health projects.

How are the IISAR Data Used?

These IISAR data are used in various programmatic, policy, and technical decision making. Some uses include:

• The basis for annual MMWR IIS progress towards reaching the national IIS objective
• A tool for NCIRD/IIS consultants during site visits to measure performance, strengths and challenges
• A culminating, year-end snapshot for Grantee Immunization Programs to measure progress, identify areas for improvement, set program priorities, and policy-level decision making
• An analysis tool to identify trends in IIS development across the nation
• An evaluation tool for CDC and partners
• An information resource for CDC when setting, IIS national priorities and identifying next steps
• Selection criteria for NCIRD and grantee evaluation projects
• A means to introduce future concepts and measures for enhancing IIS functionality and use (e.g., adolescent and adult saturation measures in IIS, pandemic flu, EMRs, outbreak management, data use and etc)
• IISAR Reports and Publications

Confidentiality

All data collected through the IISAR are self-reported, aggregate data from our grantees and include no individually identifiable data on IIS participants.

Frequently Asked Questions about the IISAR

What is the purpose of the IISAR?

The purpose of the Immunization Information Systems Annual Report (IISAR) is to assess grantee performance in developing, maintaining, and enhancing Immunization Information Systems (IIS) activities for a given calendar year.

How are data for the IISAR collected?

It is a self-administered web-based questionnaire completed by immunization program managers as part of their annual reporting requirement. Grantees are asked to provide information on their IIS, such as:

• the number of children aged less than 6 years with two or more vaccinations recorded in the IIS
• public and private provider participation levels
• fulfillment of minimum functional standards
• other IIS-related programmatic functions

Limitations of IISAR Data

• Data from the IISAR are self-reported and might result in reporting bias.
• Participation rates for children aged less than 6 years may be underestimated since some grantees did not report data or do not have IIS.
• Provider participation rates are subject to fluctuations from year to year due to the changing provider population, as well as recruitment and retention activities at each IIS.
• IIS are constantly changing with advances in technology, client demands, and program needs. This impacts reporting patterns from year to year.