VaxInfo: An Online Service for Managing Immunization Records and Information

Abstract

This project aimed to develop an online service that allows individuals to access and manage their immunization records, as well as information on vaccines and the diseases they prevent. The proposed service sought to close an information gap by providing individuals access to their vaccination records stored in Immunization Information Systems (IIS). After reviewing the literature on data integration, a data architecture was proposed to connect disparate health information systems that contain and process vaccination records. Based on a literature review and comparative analysis of existing immunization applications, an interactive prototype of a web application was designed and tested with 18 participants. Usability testing showed that participants successfully completed most tasks but identified problems with the schedule feature of the application and with the status of individual vaccinations. Users offered suggestions for improving the app, most notably adding features/information to facilitate scheduling vaccination appointments, enabling direct sharing of records with doctors and schools, and simplifying the information presented in the schedule feature. Recommended next steps for implementing this service are to streamline the design and information presented in the schedule feature, conduct additional usability testing, complete a feasibility study of the proposed data architecture and make the business case for departments of health to create the service. The ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and other recent disease outbreaks underscore the urgent need for this service.