The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking to link state and local health departments' electronic health record (EHR) systems with immunization information systems nationwide, and to integrate local immunization systems with its new Vaccine Tracking System (VTrckS).
Immunization information systems--or registries--receive and share patient-related data with other systems, including EHRs, and can create reminders and review vaccination coverage within a specific geographic area. By combining immunization histories into one source, providers and parents may find it easier to make sure their children get their required vaccines--while reducing the time needed to track immunization records, reports Government Health IT.
According to an announcement in Federal Business Opportunities, CDC is looking for technical assistance--which includes project management, operations, and assessment--to support its immunization informatics initiatives. At the same time, assistance also would be provided to the states and other federal partners in establishing communication linkages for programs such as VTrckS.
VTrckS--which provides oversight of the publicly funded vaccine supply chain--allows healthcare providers to order vaccines directly. It also evaluates vaccine orders using specific guidelines set by states, local and territorial health department grantees, and CDC. It started last December with four public health pilots in Michigan, Colorado, Washington State, and Chicago, CDC said.
CDC said that it expects to award the 12-month contract on or before March 31.
For more information:
- view the Government Health IT article
- see the Federal Business Opportunities announcement
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