Support Programs

Immunization Practices

Even experienced medical professionals have questions about vaccines, their use and safety.

If you are an Idaho licensed physician, physician assistant, certified nurse practitioner, registered nurse, or school health nurse, visit each tab below and learn more about these immunization resources for health professionals.

Record requests

To have a patient request CDH immunization records, please have them complete and return to us the above form. Patients must have a valid email account.

Release of Information (ROI)

Travel immunizations

CDH does not offer International Travel Immunization Services. For referral information, please use the references below.

International travel

• Saint Alphonsus – Travel Medicine – 6533 W. Emerald St. , Boise, ID | 208-302-5200
• St. Luke’s – Travel Medicine & Immunization Clinic – 520 S. Eagle Rd. #1221, Meridian, ID | 208-706-7200 | (Fax) 208-706-7250

Immigration services

• USCIS – Boise Field Office | 800-375-5283

Vaccine information statements

Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) are information sheets produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that explain both the benefits and risks of vaccines to vaccine recipients. Federal law require that healthcare staff provide a VIS to a patient, parent, or legal representative before each dose of certain vaccines.

The Shot Line

Mission

The primary purpose of the Shot Line is to enhance safe immunization practices. The outcome is to increase accountability and safe immunization delivery throughout southwest Idaho by:

• Promoting a culture and an infrastructure that ensures quality healthcare processes and patient safety;
• Educating physicians, nurses, medical assistants, school nurses, and child care providers who are responsible for the administration, review or records of immunizations.

Objectives

• Provide education to those who are responsible for the administration and delivery of immunizations via the Shot Line.
• Identify knowledge deficits from the data collected on calls received.
• Ensure that the staff and physicians have access to the requirements of national, regulatory and accrediting agencies.
• Enhance accurate delivery and storage of immunizations.
• Improve patient safety and prevention of disease.

For urgent vaccine questions call 208-321-BABY (2229). The Shot Line is staffed Monday through Friday during regular clinic hours.

Immunization reminder system

Idaho’s Immunization Reminder Information System (IRIS) is the free, secure and confidential statewide computer-based system that keeps track of immunization records. Since 2010, patients receiving immunizations in Idaho have been automatically enrolled.

IDHW – IRIS Information

Medical providers are encouraged to add children who were not born in Idaho. In most cases, this would consist of children who have relocated to Idaho from another state.

IRIS is an opt-out system, meaning newborns will automatically be enrolled in the registry at birth and parents can voluntarily opt-out at any time simply by filling out a form and submitting it to the Idaho Immunization Program (IIP).

IDHW – Immunize Idaho

Opt-out forms and additional information are available at the link above. To complete a written IRIS deletion form a patient will need to contact the IIP by phone at 208-334-5931.

Parents of newborns will be notified that their baby has been added to the registry by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW). Information about the voluntary nature of the registry is included, along with information on how a parent can opt-out if they do not wish to participate. DHW will include this IRIS information with birth certificate information that is routinely mailed to parents, usually within the first two weeks following birth.

Benefits

IRIS benefits the area served by Central District Health by facilitating adequate immunization for all individuals, enhancing the overall state health. Direct benefits for health care / service providers include the following:

• Sends reminder card to parents of children with pending and overdue immunizations.
• Assists with monthly vaccine accountability.
• Provides Certificates of Immunization for schools and child care facilities.
• Decreases number of unnecessary immunizations.
• Provides data to enable accurate assessment of patients’ immunization status.
• Reduces staff time needed to obtain complete immunization history of patients.
• Assures immunization records are always available.
• Clarifies complicated, changing immunization schedules and emerging vaccine combinations.
• Eliminates likelihood of missed opportunities by enabling office staff to plan ahead.
• Enables providers to determine which immunizations are due.

Frequently asked questions