Immunizations Registry

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Immunization registries collect children's vaccination histories within a geographic area. They help ensure that children who are too young to fall under school vaccine requirements receive the recommended vaccinations.

Typically, children enter into a registry at birth, often through a linkage with electronic birth records. Health care providers also initiate a registry record at the time of a child's first immunization. All records remain confidential.

A registry can be based in a state, county, city or multi-county health jurisdiction. Although all states have one or more immunization registries operating, 25 states have formally established a statewide registry by law or regulation. Twelve states require health care professionals to report immunizations to their registries. Currently, 44 percent of children under age 6 have taken part in state and local registries. As a part of Healthy People 2010, the federal government's goal is to increase to 95 percent the proportion of children under age 6 who participate in registries.

Federal grant funding under Public Health Service Act §317b for state immunization programs provides 56 percent of the funds used, while 44 percent is from states, counties, and private foundations. Examples are:

Michigan funds its registry partially through the Healthy Michigan Fund, which taps cigarette taxes.
Utah established its registry through state rule and the state currently provides one third of its funding.
Arizona has previously funded its registry with state funds and currently uses a combination of state and federal funding.