Florida SHOTS is a statewide immunization registry developed by the Florida Department of Health (DOH). Florida SHOTS is designed to access and utilize a statewide immunization database. The registry is part of DOH's initiative to increase vaccination coverage for children across Florida.
Immunization registries are confidential, computerized information systems that track childhood immunization data. Children are entered into a registry either at birth, through a linkage with electronic birth records from Vital Statistics, or by health care providers. As childhood immunizations are given, the information is entered so that health care professionals know if immunizations are necessary or redundant.
Florida SHOTS receives vaccination information for children from across the state, including input from County Health Departments, private providers, the Bureau of Vital Statistics, and eventually from Women Infant and Children (WIC) clinics, and Medicaid. This immunization information will soon be available to schools, and childcare centers.
Immunization registries are essential for maintaining high immunization coverage levels. This is true particularly since disease levels are at record lows and outbreaks of preventable illnesses are becoming less common.
- Provide patients, parents, health care providers, schools and child care facilities with timely access to complete, accurate and relevant immunization data
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Help ensure that a child's immunizations are up-to-date
- Prevent unnecessary or redundant immunizations by evaluating their immunization status and identifying children who need (or are past due for) immunizations
- Immunization schedule is confusing and parents often do not realize that their child is due for an immunization. Many children are over-immunized because parents cannot locate shot records
- Consolidate immunizations from all health care providers into one record.Data indicates that 40% of all children see more than one immunization provider by the time they are two years of age.
- Provide reminders when an immunization is due
- Help providers generate official immunization records
- Help prevent disease outbreaks
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Help identify high-risk and under-immunized populations
Provide information on new vaccines - Reduce the administrative cost of tracking immunization records
- Assist communities in assessing their immunization coverage and identifying areas of under-immunization
- Fulfill federal and state immunization reporting needs (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").