Evaluation of Data Error, Completeness, Timeliness of National Immunization Registry in Korea

Abstract

Objectives: Through quantitative analysis of the main computerized national immunization registry in Korea in operation since 2000, this study was performed to propose methods of improving the national immunization registry. Methods: Data for the analysis was collected from the computerized national immunization registry system from 1 Jan. 2001 to 31 Dec. 2006. Among the data collected, we sampled immunization data of children from the ages of 0-12 years (as of 31 Dec. 2006). Then we selected only data registered by public health centers. Results: The number of registrations gathered by the computerized program for immunization registry was 4,762,685, which represents 63.0% of the total population from resident registration (as of 31 Dec. 2006). The analysis of this data revealed a 12.11% rate of error for personal information such as age, sex, address and a 1.19% rate of incompleteness for vaccination related information. Furthermore, in 26.3% of the cases, the entry into the immunization registry of the vaccination occurred on the same day the vaccinations occurred, and 23.7% of the time, within 1~7 days of the vaccinations. Consequently 50% of immunization data was registered into the immunization registry within 1 week of the vaccinations. Conclusion: There first needs to be considerable improvement in data gathering and data entry if the national immunization registry program is to be succeed. Participation by private medical providers who represent 60% of vaccination services is necessary 1)

Twenty Years of Progress and the Way Forward: Immunization Registry Information System in Korea

“…Initially applied exclusively to public health centers, the IRIS was then progressively expanded to encompass private clinics from 2004. 27 As time passed, the Korean government realized the importance of improving the system even more. They upgraded it to include a database connection with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), which includes the infectious disease reporting system.…”