COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

 

DATE:

January 8, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 23, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Brian J. Zamora, Director, Public Health & Environmental Protection Division

   

SUBJECT:

Bay Area Regional Immunization Registry Joint Powers Agreement

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing execution of a joint powers agreement (JPA) with participating jurisdictions of the Bay Area Regional Registry (BARR) to operate a regional immunization information system for the term of January 14, 2007 through January 13, 2012.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Leaders work together across boundaries to preserve and enhance our quality of life.

Goal 23: Leaders throughout the County provide the impetus for broader regional solutions in land use, housing, childcare, education, health and transportation.

 

This agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing for a regional immunization registry, which helps to ensure that children throughout the Bay Area receive complete and timely immunizations.

 

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2005-06
Actual

FY 2006-07
Projected

Number of clinics in San Mateo County that have implemented BARR

22

27

Children up to date with immunizations by age two

70%

72%

 

BACKGROUND:

An immunization registry is a confidential, computerized information system designed to effectively increase vaccine coverage; meet the needs of a mobile population; and assist providers, parents, and public health departments in solving immunization-related issues. It is widely recognized in the United States that immunization registries are paramount in maintaining high immunization rates and low disease levels. Research has indicated that immunization registries are cost-effective and can produce savings once implemented because children are not re-immunized unnecessarily. The California Department of Health Services (DHS) supports regional registries and provides grants to promote their implementation. Development of BARR began in 2000; the program is now active and is shared among eleven other jurisdictions in the region. Providers who participate in the system can easily identify a child’s immunization needs even if the child has changed providers or has moved beyond county boundaries. The previous BARR JPA approved by the Board of Supervisors covered the period January 14, 2002 through January 13, 2007.

 

DISCUSSION:

BARR was first implemented in San Mateo Medical Center clinics (pediatric, adolescent, and some adult) in 2005, with implementation now expanding to providers outside the County system. Ravenswood Family Health Center is using BARR, as are several other private providers. While expansion to additional providers is proceeding well, it is a time-intensive process that requires meeting with providers and staff to explain the benefits of the registry, determining the most efficient way to transfer data, and training providers and staff in how to use the system. The Health Plan of San Mateo serves as a major partner in this process. An important future step will entail integrating provider electronic medical records with the BARR system.

 

The term of the JPA is January 14, 2007 through January 13, 2012. The agreement has been reviewed and approved by County Counsel.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

Implementation costs for BARR are primarily provided through grants from the DHS Immunization Branch, First 5 San Mateo County, and county General Funds. There is no new Net County Cost directly associated with execution of the JPA.