Building the foundation for immunization information system interoperability: Lessons from the Canadian context

Introduction: Accurate, real-time immunization data is integral to the success of immunization programs. Standardized data can be aggregated, analyzed, and leveraged to conduct robust public health surveillance and inform strategic public health planning and prioritization. Standardization is also critical to the interoperability and portability of immunization records within and between jurisdictions. The Canadian Vaccine Catalogue (CVC), which aggregated standardized immunization data from multiple sources, was created to support interoperable immunization systems in Canada. Recommendations: Drawing on our experiences with the CVC and the broader Canadian healthcare system, we propose several recommendations to promote immunization standards adoption, including establishing robust governance processes, bridging the gap between public health and information technology partners, strategizing adoption of standards among electronic medical record vendors, and providing support for standards adoption. Conclusion: The CVC was a critical resource for supporting immunization interoperability in Canada, and provides valuable lessons for other jurisdictions seeking to develop a similar resource.