Perceptions of immunization information systems for collecting pandemic H1N1 immunization data within Canada's public health community: a qualitative study.
BACKGROUND
Immunization information systems (IISs) are electronic registries used to monitor individual vaccination status and assess vaccine coverage. IISs are currently not widely used across Canada, where health jurisdictions employ a range of approaches to capture influenza immunization information. Conducted in advance of the 2009 H1N1 vaccination campaign, the objectives of this study were to understand the perceived value of individual-level data and IISs for influenza control, identify ideal system functions, and explore barriers to implementation.


METHODS
In July and August 2009, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants engaged in vaccine delivery and/or pandemic planning at regional, provincial/territorial and federal levels across Canada. Key informants were recruited using a combination of convenience and snowball sampling methodologies. Qualitative analysis was used to extract themes from interview content.


RESULTS
Patient management, assessment of vaccine coverage, and evaluation of safety and effectiveness were identified as public health priorities that would be achieved in a more timely manner, and with greater accuracy, through the use of an IIS. Features described as ideal included system flexibility, rapid data entry, and universality. Financial and human resource constraints as well as coordination between immunization providers were expressed as barriers to implementation.


CONCLUSIONS
IISs were perceived as valuable by key informants for strengthening management capacity and improving evaluation of both seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccination campaigns. However, certain implementation restrictions may need to be overcome for these benefits to be achieved.
Heidebrecht
Christine L
CL
Department of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, Toronto, Canada. christine.heidebrecht@oahpp.ca
Foisy
Julie
J
Pereira
Jennifer A
JA
Quan
Sherman D
SD
Willison
Donald J
DJ
Deeks
Shelley L
SL
Finkelstein
Michael
M
Crowcroft
Natasha S
NS
Buckeridge
David L
DL
Guay
Maryse
M
Sikora
Christopher A
CA
Kwong
Jeffrey C
JC
D000288:Administrative Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D002170:Canada; D003625:Data Collection; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human; D007256:Information Systems; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009313:National Health Programs; D010465:Perception; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012042:Registries
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