Overview of the MIIS
The goal of the MIIS is to give health care providers and families a tool to help ensure that all individuals are immunized based on the latest recommendations. The MIIS enables for a more complete, accurate, secure, real-time immunization record for residents of Massachusetts of all ages.
An immunization registry provides numerous benefits to all those involved in the health care of children and adults, contributing to a higher immunization rate and a healthier population.
- Providers have access to more complete immunization records of their patients and receive clinical decision support in accordance with an increasingly complex vaccination schedule.
- Through their healthcare provider, individuals, parents and caregivers can get reminders when an immunization has been missed. Up-to-date information on a person's vaccination history helps to prevent over-immunization.
- Schools save time in complying with immunization requirements.
- Public health systems use the information to help monitor and control vaccine preventable diseases.
Additional Resources
Information for parents and patients
We are committed to promoting the health of our citizens by reducing the burden of vaccine preventable diseases that affect the residents of the Commonwealth.
Answers to some of the frequently asked questions
What is the Massachusetts Immunization Information System?
The Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), also called an immunization registry, is a confidential, web-based system that collects and stores vaccination (shot) records for people of all ages vaccinated in Massachusetts. The MIIS is operated by the Immunization Division at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and helps you, along with your healthcare providers, and schools, to keep track of the shots that you or your children have received.
Why is the MIIS important?
The schedule of shots that you and your family need to stay healthy and that are required for you or your children to go to school, daycare, camp, college and work becomes more complicated with every new vaccine introduced. Keeping all your shot records in one place helps to make sure that you and your children get the complete schedule of immunizations.
What information about me or my children will be entered into the MIIS?
Provider sites are mandated to report any immunizations they administer to the MIIS. Other information, including mother's name (for individuals under 18 years of age), gender, and the provider office where each shot is given will be included in the registry to be sure that your records are accurate and cannot be confused with another patient's record. Your address will also be included in the system to allow your healthcare provider to send you a card to remind you when you or your children are due for an immunization. All the information in the MIIS is secure and confidential.
The law requires that immunizations are reported to the MDPH through the MIIS. There is no option to “opt-out” of the MIIS. Your records will only be available to those involved in your or your child's care, who have a reason to know about them. The MIIS enables a new health care provider to check what shots you or your child have received in the past from other providers. If you prefer that you or your child’s immunization history not be shared in this way, you may object to sharing your or your child’s immunization information.
If you object to data sharing, your or your child’s immunization information will still be in the MIIS, but only the provider(s) who administered your vaccines and the Department of Public Health will be able to see it.
Please note: you will need to keep track of your or your child’s immunization records in the event that you change doctors or get immunizations from other health care providers.
To object to data sharing, you must complete the MIIS Objection (or Withdrawal of Objection) Form. If you change your mind, you can fill out the same form to have your or your child's immunization information shared in the MIIS.