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June 28, 2022

• Gaps in Pediatric Immunizations 
• MIIC Tip: Opt-Out Restricted Record
• New User Guides Available
• Immunization Quality Improvement Program (IQIP)
• Project Spotlight: Successes with Text-based Reminders for Vaccine!

Gaps in Pediatric Immunizations 

Recent data has shown that routine childhood and adolescent vaccination rates have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic nationwide. An analysis of MIIC data found that compared to children who turned 2 years old in 2020, up-to-date by 24 months childhood series rates among those that turned 2 years old in 2021 were seven percentage points lower.

When looking at first dose MMR rates, we are seeing the same trend. Of children who turned 2 years old in 2020, up-to-date by 24 months MMR 1+ rates among those that turned 2 years old in 2021 were 3.3 percentage points lower. This analysis highlights that we are seeing a gap in pediatric immunization rates due to the pandemic. This is especially concerning given the recent measles cases identified in Minnesota. 

Learn more about the routine immunization gap and find resources at Pediatric Immunization Gaps Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. To identify people who may need to catch up on routine childhood and adolescent vaccinations, consider using MIIC’s Client Follow-up and Assessment features. Learn more by visiting the links on the MIIC User Guidance and Training Resources page under “Population-Based Tools and Reports.”

MIIC Tip: Opt-Out Restricted Record

An individual can submit a privacy setting request to opt-out of participating in MIIC. After an individual opt-outs, the MIIC record is locked so it is not available to any MIIC users. MIIC users who try to access these records will be directed to a screen that says this record has been restricted to the “MIIC - This person has opted out” organization. To access the individual’s immunization history, you will need to request a copy from the client or their parent/guardian.

If a client would like to opt-back into MIIC, please contact the MIIC Help Desk at health.miichelp@state.mn.us. 

New User Guides Available

MIIC has added some new user guidance resources in addition to updating a few existing ones as well. Authorized MIIC users interested in learning more about managing client information in MIIC and navigating a client’s MIIC immunization record can view the new Managing Clients in MIIC user guidance resource.

MIIC users who are looking to query immunization records for large client lists can also view the new MIIC Bulk Query Tool user guidance resource. This guide contains detailed information on how to access the bulk query tool as well as step-by-step instructions on uploading and generating the client list information. School users should continue to reference the bulk query user guide specific to accessing this function within AISR or the Student Immunization Query Tool. Visit School Health Personnel Immunization and Disease Reporting: Bulk query function for more information.

Immunization Quality Improvement Program (IQIP)

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for primary care providers to get back to routine care schedules for children and adolescents. The Immunization Quality Improvement Program (IQIP) is a tool that can help providers and clinic staff take time to plan for the new normal of primary care immunization practice.

IQIP promotes and supports the implementation of provider-level quality improvement strategies designed to increase vaccine uptake among childhood and adolescent patients in adherence to the ACIP-recommended routine schedule. This hour long in-person or conference call site visit also provides training for the use of MIIC. Check-ins throughout the year keep improvement activities from getting lost in the shuffle of daily practice work. If your organization already has quality improvement goals and programming, IQIP can help clinics plan activities that aim at achieving those goals. Public health professionals and MIIC experts are available to all eligible MnVFC providers to conduct this visit at any time! Reach out to your MIIC regional coordinator today.

Project Spotlight: Successes with Text-based Reminders for Vaccine!

Since May of 2021, MIIC has partnered with more than 50 organizations to implement text-based reminders for COVID-19 vaccine. This program is free to providers in Minnesota and uses MIIC data to identify individuals in need of an immunization. The diverse group of organizations currently participating include local public health, health systems, pharmacies, and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Providers opt into the program and are encouraged to include information, such as a provider phone number or link to an online appointment scheduler, to help clients obtain a vaccination appointment. Text messages are also available in Spanish, Somali and Hmong and translations are accessible to clients when they reply to the text message.

To date, nearly 283,000 clients have been texted reminders under the program. Of clients who have received a text for a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 28% have completed the primary series. Nearly 32% of clients who received a text for a booster dose have received the recommended dose. Provider organizations have reported that the program was easy to set up and helped them reach clients and community members in need of vaccine.

Next up? Text message reminders for routine immunizations! Since April of 2022, MIIC has been implementing the text program for kids ages 24-35 months and 13-16 years, notifying them of missed routine child or adolescent immunizations.  The goal is to help providers get people back in for vaccinations that they may have missed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If your organization would like to participate, please contact the MIIC Help Desk at health.miichelp@state.mn.us. We would love to partner with you to help improve immunization rates throughout Minnesota.

health.state.mn.us