Alabama Administrative Code
Title 420 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
Chapter 420-6-2 - EXCHANGE OF IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION AND OPERATION OF THE ALABAMA IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY
Section 420-6-2-.05 - Importation And Modification Of Data In The Immunization Registry

(1) Information in the immunization registry may be obtained from health care provider clinic records, billing data and information from health care insurers and the Alabama Medicaid Agency, department clinic records, and vital records. The department may establish memoranda of understanding with health care insurers, managed care organizations or similar entities, and the Alabama Medicaid Agency to establish procedures to permit the electronic importation of new or revised immunization information to which they are privileged.

(2) Information from and related to birth certificates for births that occurred in Alabama on or after January 1, 1993, shall be provided by the Center for Health Statistics for inclusion in the immunization registry. Unless specifically prohibited by law, immunization registry information derived from birth certificates shall include child's name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, race, social security number, and plurality; mother's name including maiden name, date of birth, social security number, and address; and father's name, date of birth, and social security number. The birth certificate number shall not be included in the immunization registry, but an identification number that can be linked to the birth certificate shall be maintained in the registry. Changes made on birth certificates or to related information involving data items included in the immunization registry shall be forwarded by the Center for Health Statistics to the immunization registry to replace the original information from birth certificates. Any original birth certificate information or related data in the registry shall be replaced by the changed information. No record shall be kept in the immunization registry of the original information from the birth certificate, if that information has been changed on the birth certificate under Section 22-9A-12. Information originating from or related to birth certificates contained in the immunization registry shall become immunization registry data subject to the laws and rules governing the immunization registry. Other information from or related to birth certificates not included in the immunization registry may be used to assess immunization levels or to promote proper immunization of individuals identified in the registry, but that information shall not become part of the immunization registry. The Center for Health Statistics shall also report to the immunization registry those individuals born on or after January 1, 1993, who have died in Alabama, and the fact of death shall be recorded in the immunization registry.

(3) Immunization data can only be modified by the health care provider who administered that dose(s). Immunization data users are encouraged to submit revised identifying and locating data as they are learned. The department will establish procedures whereby data in the immunization registry can be changed. Changes must be based on documents in the possession of the health care provider. The department will have the right to validate changes made to records. All changes to immunization records will be electronically archived and indicate the date and the health care provider submitting the changes.

Author: Charles H. Woernle, M.D., M.P.H.