Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC)
PO Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
Web: www.health.state.mn.us/miic
Transport Options for Submitting Immunization Data to MIIC
There are several options for health care providers to securely submit immunization data to the Minnesota
Immunization Information Connection (MIIC): SOAP/web services, PHIN-MS, manual upload and secure FTP. All four
transport options meet Meaningful Use Incentives and MIIC requirements
(www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/registry/hp/mu.html).
The preferred option for submitting data to MIIC is real-time reporting using SOAP/web services. This is based on
guidance from CDC related to reporting of immunization data from electronic health record systems (EHRs) to
immunization information systems (e.g., MIIC).
Transport options
SOAP/web services: A web service is a standards-based method of allowing one computer to access functions in
another computer through the Internet. Functions are called using Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) requests,
which are formatted as XML (eXtensible Markup Language) messages. This is a secure method which uses the same
ports as Internet browsers and uses existing web application protocols.
PHIN‐MS: PHIN-MS is software available from the CDC that securely sends and receives encrypted data over the Internet
to public health information systems using Electronic Business Extensible Markup Language (ebXML) technology.
Manual Upload: Manual upload of data in MIIC requires the provider to sign into MIIC application and upload the file
directly to the registry.
Secure FTP: Secure FTP, or file transport protocol, requires the provider to encrypt the data file and place on the MDH
FTP server for processing by MIIC staff.
June 2015
Transport Options for Submitting Immunization Data to MIIC – Page 2
Use this table to help determine which method will work best for submitting HL7 data to MIIC for your clinic.
Batch/Real-time
File Format
Recommended
For
Considerations
SOAP/web services
Real-time
HL7 format only
PHIN-MS
Batch or Real-time
HL7 format only
Medium- and highvolume providers
administering more
than 50 shots per
week.
• Preferred method for
real-time data
submissions to MIIC.
• Alternate option to
PHIN-MS for
submitting shots to
MIIC in real-time
using HL7.
• Requires provider IT
staff to configure
web services at the
provider site, with
remote assistance
from MDH IT staff.
• Once set up, little
manual intervention
is required for
ongoing data
submissions (with
the exception of
adding/editing CVX
codes as necessary).
Medium- and highvolume providers
administering more
than 50 shots per
week.
• One of the options
that supports realtime HL7 transfer to
MIIC.
• Requires provider IT
staff to install and
configure PHIN-MS
server at the
provider site, with
remote assistance
from MDH IT staff.
• If batch, requires
daily or weekly
submissions.
• Once set up, little
manual intervention
is required for
ongoing data
submissions (with
the exception of
adding/editing CVX
codes as necessary).
Manual Upload
Batch only
HL7 and Flat File
formats
All providers
Secure FTP
Batch only
HL7 and Flat File
formats
All providers
• Easy but involves a
staff person.
• Cannot be
automated with
scripts or
programming.
• Not real-time entry
into MIIC.
• Does not require file
encryption.
• Requires daily or
weekly batch
submissions.
• Easy but involves a
staff person.
• Can be automated
with scripts and
programming on the
provider end but still
requires manual
processing by MIIC
staff.
• Not real-time entry
into MIIC.
• Requires file
encryption.
• Requires daily or
weekly batch
submissions.
Resources
•
•
•
•
•
MIIC Help Desk: Phone: 651-201-5503, 800-657-3970 Email: [email protected]
Specifications for SOAP/Web Services Data Exchange with MIIC
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/registry/hp/webservices.pdf
CDC PHIN Messaging System www.cdc.gov/phin/tools/PHINms
Information about the Public Health Information Network Messaging System (PHIN-MS) developed by the CDC.
GnuPG Encryption Software www.gnupg.org
Free implementation of the OpenPGP standard that allows you to encrypt and sign your data and communications.
PGP may also be used but is no longer free.
Submitting and Exchanging Data with MIIC www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/registry/hp/data.html
Resources for the electronic documentation of vaccinations in MIIC, includes file specifications and code sets.
For more information, contact MIIC:
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.health.state.mn.us/miic
MIIC Help Desk: 651-201-5207, 800-657-3970
June 2015