Assessing immunization registry data completeness in Bexar County- Texas

BACKGROUND: Immunization information systems (or registries) are increasingly being used to promote and sustain high levels of vaccination coverage. However- the perception among many providers that registry data are too incomplete to be relied on when making immunization decisions has impeded the acceptance of registries. METHODS: To evaluate registry completeness- immunization coverage levels from the San Antonio Immunization Registry System (SAIRS) were compared with coverage levels derived from immunization records from 77 (37%) of the 210 clinics participating in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program in 1998- 44 (21%) clinics in 1999- and 10 (5%) clinics in 2000. RESULTS: Clinic data indicated an average immunization coverage level for the 4:3:1 series of 39.8%. The overall coverage level for these clinics based on registry data was 64.1%. Registry-coverage levels for these clinics were