ImmTrac Overview
ImmTrac, the Texas Immunization registry, is a free service offered by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). ImmTrac is a secure and confidential registry available to all Texans. ImmTrac safely consolidates and stores immunization information electronically in one centralized system. Texas law requires written consent for ImmTrac participation and limits access to the Registry to only those individuals who have been authorized by law. ImmTrac contains several million immunization records and continues to rapidly grow with increase participation.
The valuable information comes from a variety of sources including private health-care providers; public health clinics; Medicaid claims administrators, the Bureau of Vital Statistics (VSU), and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinics. Regardless of the number of sources, each client’s immunization information is consolidated into one electronic record. Authorized professionals such as doctors, nurses, and public health providers can access confidential data including client’s vaccination histories.
The registry is a major component of the DSHS initiative to increase vaccine coverage across Texas.
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 is 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.
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Who has access to ImmTrac 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.
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Why have an immunization registry?
- The American Academy of Pediatrics, in its role as advocate for children, supports public and private cooperation in the development of immunization registry systems insofar as they benefit children.
- CDC's National Vaccine Advisory Committee - October 1994 Conclusion regarding state-based immunization systems: "An immunization information system is essential for reaching and sustaining coverage levels."
- The immunization schedule is confusing. Parents often do not realize that their child is due for an immunization.
- Many children are over-immunized because parents cannot locate shot records.
- One survey indicates that 39% of all children see more than one immunization provider by the time they are two years of age.
- Texas Department of Health (TDH) will be able to identify areas in Texas with low immunization rates and target those communities with special outreach projects without conducting expensive surveys.
What will ImmTrac do for providers of immunizations?
- It will allow providers to search for immunization histories on new patients that have changed physicians or moved into a new community.
- It will assist with lost records or those that are difficult to interpret.
- It will provide a method for doctors to send recall and reminder notices of pending or overdue immunizations.
How is confidentiality of ImmTrac data maintained?
- Adding new records requires written parental consent.
- Computer access is limited to providers of immunizations or those with a legal mandate to review records.
- Security privileges are controlled by a Database Administrator at TDH.
- Each user of the system is given an identification name and password.
- Demographic information is not released with immunization histories.
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ImmTrac is not:
- A state-mandated software application
- Texas-Wide Integrated Client Encounter System (TWICES)
- Clinic Assessment Software Application (CASA)
How can I get more information?
Call: 800.252.9152
E-mail: ImmTrac@dshs.state.tx.us
Write to:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Immunization Branch – ImmTrac Group
MC 1946, PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347
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