MINNESOTA IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION CONNECTION
MIIC and Pharmacies
The Minnesota Immunization Information
Connection (MIIC) makes it easy for
pharmacies to ensure their patients are upto-date on their immunizations and that
patient immunization records are complete
and accurate. Minnesota law requires
pharmacists to use MIIC to assess patient
immunization status before giving any
immunizations, except for influenza if given
to patients nine years and older.
Pharmacists are also required to fulfill their
immunization reporting requirement by
reporting all administered vaccine doses to
MIIC.
What is MIIC?
The Minnesota Immunization Information
Connection (MIIC) is a confidential,
computerized system that collects
immunization records for Minnesota
residents across the lifespan. MIIC
combines immunizations a patient has
received into a single record, even if the
shots were given by different health care
providers in the state. This helps ensure
correct and timely vaccinations.
MIIC is available at no cost to authorized
users, such as health care providers,
hospitals, public health agencies,
pharmacies, schools, and child care
providers. Nearly all primary care providers
in the state participate in and rely on MIIC
for the most complete and accurate
immunization records.
How do pharmacies
use MIIC?
MIIC is an easy tool that is used in
pharmacy practice to help coordinate
patient immunization care.
Pharmacies are required by law to use MIIC
to:
View immunization history for each
patient before vaccine administration,
except for influenza vaccine if given to
patients nine years and older.
Review recommended vaccines based
on patient’s exact age and immunization
history before vaccine administration,
except for influenza vaccine if given to
patients nine years and older.
Report all administered vaccine doses.
How do pharmacies
enter immunizations
into MIIC?
By fulfilling the legal requirement to report
all administered vaccines into MIIC,
pharmacies help ensure that patients’
records are more complete. There are two
primary methods for entering data into
MIIC, including:
Direct data entry while logged into the
MIIC application.
Data exchange (electronic transfer of
data) between a practice management
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MIIC AND PHARMACIES
system or electronic health record and
MIIC.
Data exchange eliminates the need to enter
immunization data in both a practice
management system/ electronic health
record and MIIC. For more information visit
Submitting and Exchanging Data with MIIC
(http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc
/immunize/registry/hp/data.html).
perspectives of a community pharmacist
and a health-system pharmacist is available
at MIIC and Pharmacies
(www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immu
nize/registry/pharmacies.html).
See additional resources at Immunization
Delivery in Pharmacy Settings
(http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc
/immunize/hcp/pharmacists/index.html).
What about privacy?
Protecting the privacy of individuals is
important. MIIC is password-protected,
confidential, and can only be accessed by
authorized user groups listed in the
Minnesota Immunization Law.
Pharmacies that participate in MIIC must
sign a data use agreement that details the
allowable uses and they must ensure that
the pharmacy will maintain the patient’s
privacy. Additionally, parents or individuals
can choose to opt out of MIIC if they wish.
For information on the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
and immunization reporting to MIIC see
Immunization Data Sharing, HIPAA, and
MIIC
(www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immu
nize/registry/hipaa.html).
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Immunization Information Connection
PO Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
651-201-5207
[email protected]
To obtain this information
in a different format, call:
651-201-5503.
How do I find out more
about participating in
MIIC?
Enrolling in MIIC is easy and free for
pharmacies. Contact the MIIC Help Desk at
[email protected] or 651-2015207 to get started.
A video explaining why it is important for all
pharmacists to participate in MIIC from the
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