Health Provider Immunization Resources

2022-2023 Rapid Community Assessment - English  Spanish
The County of Santa Cruz Public Health Division, Immunization Program partnered with the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. to facilitate the CDC Rapid Community Assessment to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy within Santa Cruz County.

• Vaccines for Children 
  • The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program helps families by providing vaccines at no cost to providers who serve eligible children from birth through 18 years of age. The VFC Program has earned high marks from California doctors for making it easy to provide high-quality care to their patients. Visit the EZIZ Website for more information. 
• California Immunization Registry (CAIR) 
  • The California Immunization Registry (CAIR) is a secure, confidential, statewide computerized immunization information system for California residents. The CAIR system consists of 9 distinct regional immunization registries (mostly multi-county regions). Each registry is accessed online to help providers and other authorized users track patient immunization records, reduce missed opportunities, and help fully immunize Californians of all ages. 
  • Per California Immunization Registry law (Health and Safety Code, Section 120440), all patients/parents must receive proper disclosure before patient information can be entered into and shared through CAIR.  Entry into and sharing of patient information through CAIR is understood to include any and all vaccine doses or Tb test results received by the patient, regardless of when those doses or Tb tests occurred relative to the date of disclosure. Patient/parents also have the right to decline to have their information in CAIR shared with other participating Organizations. For more information visit the CAIR Disclosure/Sharing Policy Page. 
    • Immunization Registry Notice to Patients and Parents (English) 
    • Immunization Registry Notice to Patients and Parents (Translations) 
  • As an alternative to giving each patient/parent a copy of the CAIR Notice to read, the Organization may post CAIR Notice posters in their office waiting rooms, visible to all patients whose information may be entered into CAIR.  Both English and Spanish versions of the poster must be posted. The posters should also be posted in other areas (e.g., exam rooms) to maximize the opportunity for patients/parents to read the information.  The Organization must also give a paper copy of the CAIR Notice to patients/parents to keep if requested. CAIR Posters are available from your local CAIR representative: California Immunization Registry » Local CAIR Representatives (LCRs)
  • AB 1797 Immunization Registry FAQs
• CDC Vaccine Information Statements  
  • Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) are information sheets produced by the CDC that explain both the benefits and risks of a vaccine to vaccine recipients. 
  • Federal law requires that healthcare staff provide a VIS to a patient, parent, or legal representative before each dose of certain vaccines. 
  • VISs are available for download in over 40 languages on the Immunization Action Coalition website.  
• VAERS 
  • The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a national early warning system to detect possible safety problems in U.S.-licensed vaccines. VAERS is co-managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). VAERS accepts and analyzes reports of adverse events (possible side effects) after a person has received a vaccination. Anyone can report an adverse event to VAERS. Healthcare professionals are required to report certain adverse events and vaccine manufacturers are required to report all adverse events that come to their attention. 
• Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 
  • The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) comprises medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines in the civilian population of the United States. The recommendations stand as public health guidance for safe use of vaccines and related biological products. 
• The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) revised the Standards for Adult Immunization Practice in 2013. These updated Standards call on ALL healthcare professionals – whether they provide vaccinations or not – to take steps to help ensure that their adult patients are fully immunized.
• Adult Vaccination Resources available at immunize.org: Adult Vaccination (immunize.org). The adult vaccination guide provides practical information to implement or enhance adult immunization services in your healthcare setting.  
• Vaccine Eligibility Guidelines for VFC, Routine 317 Funded Vaccines, Outbreak/Special Situation 317 Funded Vaccines, and State General Fund Vaccines available here: IMM-1142.pdf (eziz.org) 

• Storage Toolkit | CDC
• For information on vaccine shipping, handling and storage, please review the EZIZ trainings:
  EZIZ Training – California Vaccines for Children (VFC)
• VFC Short-dated Vaccine Transfer 
  • VFC providers can request to transfer short-dated vaccine in order to reduce waste. To initiate a request, VFC providers should fill out the form linked below. 
    • VFC Short-dated Vaccine Transfer Form
  • Public Health with reach out within 2 business days of receipt of the form and assist in making a connection. If a connection is made PH will coordinate between providers.
    • Requesting Provider must follow transfer process on EZIZ 
    • If assistance is needed with transport of vaccine, PH may be able to loan transport equipment.
    • All transported vaccine must follow VFC/EZIZ guidelines.  

• Birth-18 Years Immunization Schedule | CDC 
• Adult Immunization Schedule by Vaccine and Age Group | CDC
• School Required Immunizations can be found here: 
  • Child Care Required Immunizations
  • TK-12th grade Required Immunizations for School
     

Resources for Providers on Vaccine Schedules and Parent /Guardian Communications 

• Make a Strong Influenza Vaccine Recommendation | CDC
• CDC Vaccine Schedules App
• "If You Choose Not to Vaccinate Your Child, Understand the Risks and Responsibilities"  - CDC flyer for parents about the risks of choosing not to vaccinate 
• No Evidence to support Homeopathic Immunizations – National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website that discusses the lack of evidence supporting homeopathic immunizations 

The Public Health Immunizations Unit is committed to providing training and resources to support providers. To learn more visit our resources page.  

The Immunization Network, under the guidance of HSA staff from Immunization Program and Emergency Preparedness will create, strengthen and build on existing connections, resources, and partnerships within our community to leverage our collective awareness and knowledge with the ultimate aim of forging an inclusive immunization system that is person-centered and facilitates excellence in vaccine education, administration, and performance. The work of the IZ Network will be constrained to work relevant to increasing vaccination rates with care to avoid scope creep.

To learn more about the IZ Network, please contact us at immunizations@santacruzcounty.us. 

• July 2023 
• May 2023
• February 2023
• December 2022
• October 2022
• August 2022

UPDATED: 6/23/23