Using Registries to Using Registries to Promote Public HealthPromote Public Health

Immunization Immunization Registries:Registries:

A Tool for School A Tool for School NursesNurses

Linda C. Wolfe, RNPresident

National Association of School Nurses

Today’s ObjectivesToday’s Objectives

Role of the School Nurse in Immunization Compliance

Benefits to Children Benefits to Schools Benefits to the Nation

Role of the School Role of the School Nurse in Immunization Nurse in Immunization

ComplianceCompliance Historical Present Future

School Nurse Role:School Nurse Role:HistoricalHistorical

Communicable Disease• Direct intervention• Work with families

GOAL: Children would enter

the classroom healthy and ready to learn

School Nurse Role:School Nurse Role:PresentPresent

Work directly with children, youth & families

Health expert in the school Trusted individual in communities Strategically placed in the

community to effect change Immunizations through the

lifespan

School Nurse Role:School Nurse Role:FutureFuture

Assuring that children enter the classroom (with virtual or brick walls) healthy and

ready to learn.

NASN’s PositionNASN’s Position

“The NASN supports the development of a national immunization registry.”

November 2001www.nasn.org

Benefits to Children:Benefits to Children:Children Suffer Needlessly Children Suffer Needlessly

Put at risk for vaccine-preventable disease

Denied school entry Increased stress with shot as age

increases Lengthy process for school entry

as immunization history is sought Repeated vaccination

Benefits to Children:Benefits to Children:Children Suffer Needlessly Children Suffer Needlessly

Untimely vaccination Decreased access to School

Nurse Undocumented reactions to

vaccines

Benefits to Schools:Benefits to Schools:Focus on LearningFocus on Learning

Ease of school entry Easily obtainable, accurate records Reduced conflict/stress Tracking immunization needs Generation of appointment

reminders Resources can be focused on

education

Benefits to schools:Benefits to schools: Focus on Learning Focus on Learning

“We . . . Recognize the value of this program [immunization registry] for children and schools. The automatic printout of a student’s immunization status will promote greater accuracy of records and avoid duplication of immunizations.” Richard W. Riley

former Secretary, Department of Education

Benefits to schoolsBenefits to schools

“This [national registry] will enable school officials to focus on other important health-related activities.”

Richard W. Riley

former Secretary, Department of Education March 2000

Benefits to the NationBenefits to the Nation

Healthy children: Our Future

Economic savings Support of families

A story worth tellingA story worth telling

State example: Delaware

Dreaming of the Dreaming of the day . . . day . . .

Child & guardian come to register for school -

School Nurse pulls up immunization record from national registry -

School Nurse identifies immunization status -

School Nurse quickly gives shot or refers - School Nurse enters data ONE TIME - Child carries personal palm pilot!

8 years to go! 8 years to go!

“population-based immunization rates will be a cornerstone of the Nation’s immunization system by 2010”

Healthy People 2010

Worth $5 a day?Worth $5 a day?