STC Blog
Vaccine Information Statement UpdateFreddie Barber – Public Health Advisor/Data Exchange Coordinator
On Wednesday I received an automatic update concerning Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). There are currently 20 different VIS covering at least 22 vaccine preventable diseases, single and combination vaccines. Six of the 20 VIS had new publication dates. By Federal law, all vaccine providers must give patients, or their parents or legal representative, the appropriate Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) whenever a vaccination is given. (See http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/vis-news.htm). A lot of providers who give vaccine to clients, especially those providers who only give privately purchased vaccine vs. government vaccine know nothing of the VIS. The regulation states that all providers of vaccines, both public and private, must give VIS to all clients receiving immunizations.
The VIS is a requirement of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 and any vaccine administered that is covered by the Act must be accompanied by the most recent VIS. A list of those vaccines can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/default.htm. The VIS’ purpose is to inform vaccine recipients, or parents or legal representatives about the benefits and risks of vaccines. Providers may not make their own VIS or alter the VIS in any way except to add the providers name, address and contact information. Technically they are not informed consent and state laws requiring informed consent may require a separate “informed consent” form especially if a signature is required.
Another requirement of the CDC is that providers must note the date the VIS was made available to the client and the publication date that is on the VIS, always two different dates. Not all electronic health records make this task easy. It is not a matter of using today as the “default date” for charting. The publication date on the VIS itself must be noted in the EHRs. Publication dates imbedded in EHRs tables must be kept current. Old paper VIS will need to be destroyed so the new VIS will be the only one used. This ensures up to date information. What about non-English speaking clients? The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis translates VISs. The IAC depends on volunteers to translate and format each new update. Therefore, translations may not be available for the most up to date versions. The IAC states, “Unfortunately, IAC is not always able to obtain translations as updates are issued. Please ensure that your patients receive information consistent with the current English-language version…”
On a positive note, the CDC is adding barcodes to the VIS in the future so that providers that have this technology can scan the information into the health record. Electronic versions are now available allowing the provider to make just in time copies. Clients can download copies of VIS onto their mobile devices. This assures that the latest edition is always used.
Providers may connect to the following email alert in order to receive the latest information from the CDC on any VIS changes:
https://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USCDC_11_1
Email Freddie Barber your comments.
