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This message is being sent to Tribal health directors, local health officers, local health directors, local health nurses, VFC and VFA providers, Wisconsin vaccinators, WIR providers, and key DHS staff.
Modernization Overview
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has selected Strategic Solutions Group (SSG) to support the modernization of the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) and Wisconsin Blood Lead Registry (WBLR).
This modernization effort will strengthen system performance, improve data quality, enhance security, support future public health needs, and provide an opportunity to streamline both immunization and blood lead workflows.
DHS staff are currently working with the vendor to set up and configure the initial version of the system. We anticipate that all providers will transition to the new system during spring of 2027.
As part of early preparation efforts, providers should focus on ensuring that user accounts and contact information in WIR are accurate and up to date to support system access, communications, and transition readiness.
Data exchange providers
This message is being sent to all WIR users involved in maintaining WIR data exchange connections and those using WIR data through an electronic health record. Please contact your colleagues on the technical and clinical side to verify your organization is fully prepared for the coming transition to the new system and does not see any loss of access.
Public Health Information Network Messaging System (PHINMS)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that it will sunset all Public Health Information Network (PHIN) systems, including PHINMS, on November 30, 2026. In anticipation of this change, WIR has contacted known PHINMS providers to transition to a Web Services connection. If you are a PHINMS provider who has not received outreach, please contact DHSWIRHELP@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Health Level 7 (HL7) (r1.5)
HL7 2.5.1 Release 1.5 (r1.5) has been the nationally recognized standard governing electronic data exchange for Immunization Information Systems (IIS) and public health since 2018. With the transition to the new system, we will no longer offer support for HL7 2.5.1 Release 1.4. We will be reaching out to organizations currently on the older version with next steps on how to make the switch.
HL7 onboarding
In an effort to ensure transition support to HL7 data exchange providers, WIR will be prioritizing existing registrations and transitions for existing data exchange partners. Any new registrations received through the Wisconsin Public Health Registration for Electronic Data Submission (PHREDS) application may be deferred until the new system is online, depending on staff capacity.
Access to view and enter immunizations through the user interface will continue to be available for WIR organizations throughout the transition process.
Flat file providers
WIR is no longer accepting new flat file providers for the current system. The new IIS will feature a simpler method of vaccine reporting for systems that do not support HL7. More information on the new, more user-friendly system process will be provided at a later date.
Keep patient contact information up to date
Please ensure that you have a regular process in place to review and update patient phone numbers, including verifying and flagging cell phone number, and email. This information will be used to support consumer record access in the new system.
We appreciate your partnership and look forward to working with you on a smooth transition to the new system. For questions, or to request the addition of a colleague to these communications, please contact: DHSIIS@dhs.wisconsin.gov
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