Perceptions of immunization information systems for collecting pandemic H1N1 immunization data within Canada's public health community: A qualitative study

In July and August 2009, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants engaged in vaccine delivery and/or pandemic planning at regional, provincial/territorial and federal levels across Canada. Key informants were recruited using a combination of convenience and snowball sampling methodologies. Qualitative analysis was used to extract themes from interview content.Patient management, assessment of vaccine coverage, and evaluation of safety and effectiveness were identified as public health priorities that would be achieved in a more timely manner, and with greater accuracy, through the use of an IIS. Features described as ideal included system flexibility, rapid data entry, and universality. Financial and human resource constraints as well as coordination between immunization providers were expressed as barriers to implementation.IISs were perceived as valuable by key informants for strengthening management capacity and improving evaluation of both seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccination campaigns. However, certain implementation restrictions may need to be overcome for these benefits to be achieved.Immunization information systems (IISs) are electronic registries containing individual-level vaccination information, usually including additional functionalities such as adverse event reporting, linkage with other electronic registries, or vaccine management [1], and are used to monitor individual vaccination status and assess vaccine coverage. Individual-level data collected in electronic form at the point of influenza immunization provide public health practitioners, planners and clinicians with readily accessible, high-quality information with which to make decisions [2].User perceptions of electronic patient information systems have been studied broadly [3-7]; however, this research has primarily focused on the experiences and insights of front-line care providers. Vaccination program planners, policy makers and other public health professionals