title: The regional immunization registry as a public health tool for improving clinical practice and guiding immunization delivery policy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the distribution of immunization records among 3 health care delivery sectors and the impact of a regional immunization registry on "up to date" rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunization registry records in 2 regions were categorized as having originated in private practices, community health centers, or public health clinics. "Up to date" rates were calculated after we sequentially added immunization records from the 3 sectors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage of children with immunizations documented in multiple sectors increased with age from 7 to 24 months, and children who were seen in multiple sectors were more likely to be up to date. There were relative increases in "up to date" rates of 50% for children aged 24 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The regional immunization registry is a powerful public health tool for increasing documented "up to date" rates and providing insights into patterns of immunization delivery.
authors.affiliation: The Children's Hospital, 1056 E 19th Avenue, B032, Denver, CO 80218, USA. kempe.allison@tchden.org
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kempe
authors.forename: Brenda L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Beaty
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: Kellyn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: N Elaine
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Lowery
authors.forename: Matthew F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Daley
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berman
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003120:Colorado; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011050:Policy Making; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015980:Public Health Practice; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population; D014611:Vaccination