Immunization Databases: A Single Information Hub Offering Infinite Health Insights
In the realm of public health, ensuring the secure exchange of immunization data has become a top priority. Key partners in this endeavor include government health agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as technology companies specializing in data management and cybersecurity, like Palantir Technologies. Additionally, defense or public sector ministries that invest in and contract data technology solutions also play a significant role (1).
Back in 2014, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) took the initiative to convene a coalition of stakeholders. This collaboration led to substantial progress, including the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for data exchange and the establishment of a community of practice (2).
While not all data gaps have been completely bridged, significant strides have been made towards a collaborative solution addressing a significant proportion of the data gap (3). The importance of broad collaboration cannot be overstated, and it is a defining strength of ASTHO, the American Immunization Registry Association (AIRA), and the wider immunization community (4).
One of the key developments in this field is the Immunization (IZ) Gateway, a federally sponsored technology solution for immunization data exchange. By 2014, this solution had received stronger support, and as of now, 44 jurisdictions are participating in IIS-to-IIS data exchange through the IZ Gateway (5). These 44 jurisdictions have 361 live connections that allow data to securely flow across state lines (6).
In 2014, a vision for ASTHO to lead a coordinated effort for seamless interjurisdictional immunization data exchange was proposed by a state health official from the Midwest (7). This vision seems to have been realized, as by July 22, 2025, 57 IIS jurisdictions have signed interjurisdictional exchange MOUs (8).
The American Immunization Registry Association (AIRA) has played a growing role in supporting IIS interstate data exchange, data standards, improving data quality, and promoting IIS modernization (9). This collaborative effort continues to make significant strides in ensuring the secure exchange of immunization data, benefiting public health initiatives across the nation.
