To bolster and quicken the nationwide COVID-19 vaccine rollout, as well as similar responses to future public health emergencies, U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) last week introduced a bipartisan bill that would amend the Public Health Service Act to upgrade and expand the nation’s immunization system.
While most health departments across the United States have a system in place, states lack modern, comprehensive information systems that can meet the challenges of the ongoing pandemic or any future public health threats through the secure exchange of real-time data, according to the congressman’s office.
“In order to defeat this virus and fully reopen our economy,” Rep. Bucshon said, “we must have a clear and efficient understanding of our localities’ vaccination efforts — and we can only achieve that by modernizing our immunization infrastructure.”
Rep. Bucshon on Jan. 28 cosponsored the Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act, H.R. 550, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH). If enacted, the measure would authorize $400 million to be appropriated to enhance data exchange interoperability between jurisdictions; conduct an assessment of current capabilities and gaps among immunization providers; increase enrollment and training of immunization providers; and support real-time immunization record data exchange and reporting, according to the text of the bill.
Additionally under H.R. 550, federal funds would be used to Improve secure data collection, transmission, bidirectional exchange, maintenance, and analysis of immunization information, and improve the security of bidirectional exchange of immunization record data and interoperability of immunization information systems with health information technology platforms, the bill states.
“As the vaccine rollout continues, immunization data systems will be a critical tool in the success of this effort, and they are in need of modernization,” said Rep. Bucshon. “This legislation will improve, enhance and expand the ability of Immunization Information Systems to securely exchange real-time immunization record data while securely protecting personal patient information.”
H.R. 550 has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.