Wolk bill for statewide immunization registry moves forward

Legislation to protect children from missed vaccinations passes on unanimous vote

SACRAMENTO– Legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to help increase childhood vaccinations by creating a statewide immunization registry in partnership with the First 5 California Children and Families Commission passed the Senate Health Committee yesterday on a bipartisan 8-1 vote.

Assembly Bill 576 would consolidate immunization records from the existing nine regional immunization registries and other private systems into a central statewide system. These consolidated records could be retrieved regardless of whether a child moves, changes physicians, or loses his or her health records.

“This bill will protect the many children in this state who are not being fully immunized due to incomplete or lost medical records,” said Wolk. “Currently, immunizations are kept in paper charts, and the databases of health insurers. The system is as outdated as it is costly, and jeopardizes the health of one of most vulnerable cross-sections of society. In fact, one out of five two year olds are left susceptible to deadly diseases due to incomplete immunization records, and one in five children receives at least one unneeded immunization by three years old. We can’t let these children continue to fall through the cracks.”

AB 576 would require the Department of Health Services (DHS), which has been granted $3.6 million by First 5 California, funded by The California Children and Families Act of 1998 to establish a statewide system, to maintain the registry and develop a sustainability plan focused on the expansion and maintenance of the registry, as well as community outreach. The system’s integration is due to be complete by December of next year.

“Establishing an integrated registry system is in the best interest of all Californians. This bill will keep our children healthy, reducing the risk of disease and hospitalization. It will save lives and it will save money. It’s a win-win,” concluded Wolk.

The bill’s supporters include the American Academy of Pediatrics, California Coalition for Childhood Immunization, American Nurses Association, California School Nurses Association, Kaiser Permanente, California Teachers Association, and California Medical Association. There is no opposition to this bill.