In a context of relatively high vaccination coverage, it has become more difficult to detect who lacks complete compulsory vaccine coverage. Immunization schedules have become a great deal more complex with the introduction of new, more expensive vaccines that had led to an increase in program budgets, which, in turn, created a need for increasingly precise, complete, and systematic accountability.
In parallel, information and communication technologies (ICT), geographic information systems (GIS), and connectivity are increasingly omnipresent and attainable, which has allowed the development of Electronic Immunization Registries (EIRs). These cost-effective and user-friendly tools help increase coverage, improve the timeliness of vaccination, and provide reliable data for decision-making. EIRs also enable monitoring of the immunization process with a view to optimizing ancillary activities
This Special Event with the Geneva Learning Foundation and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) about Electronic Immunization Registries (EIR) was open to the public.
Discussion of experiences, opportunities, and challenges to the planning, development and implementation of electronic immunization registries to improve immunization data quality, use, and coverage around the world.
Agenda included a welcome and short presentation on how the region of the Americas has advanced in the introduction of electronic immunization registries.
A discussion by panelists and responses to the following questions and then an open question and answer session with the audience and panelists.
- Implementing an electronic immunization registry is a daunting task, how did you approach it?
- What is the main motivation to promote the implementation of electronic immunization registries at the regional or global level?
- What was the main difficulty in implementing the electronic immunization registry?
- If you had to re-implement the electronic immunization registry, what would you do differently?
- Has the electronic immunization registry really been helpful to the program? How has the registry changed the immunization program in your country/city?
- Dr. Karen Broome, PAHO Sub-regional advisor in the Caribbean, Former EPI Manager for Barbados
- Mr. Fred Njobvu and John Richard, Technical Advisors for PATH Africa
- Dr. Carolina Danovaro and Jan Grevendonk, Technical Officers for Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals, at the World Health Organization
- Ms. Nga Nguyen, PATH Vietnam Country Director and IDEAL Vietnam Program Manager