MINNESOTA IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION CONNECTION
Data Privacy and MIIC Records
The Minnesota Immunization Information
Connection (MIIC) is a statewide
immunization information system that
stores electronic immunization records.
MIIC combines immunizations a person has
received into a single record, even if the
vaccines were given by different health care
providers in the state. MIIC also offers
members of the public an easy way to keep
track of immunization records for school,
child care, athletic programs, camp entry,
military, and employment.
How do immunization
records get into MIIC?
An immunization record is created in MIIC a
couple different ways.
▪
The Office of Vital Records at the
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
shares birth data with MIIC, which
creates a MIIC immunization record.
▪
A clinic or health care facility creates an
immunization record which is then
submitted to MIIC to create a new MIIC
record. After that, any future data
submitted to MIIC will be added to that
record. This allows MIIC to combine
immunization information from multiple
providers to create a single record.
How are immunization
records protected?
Protecting the privacy of individuals is very
important to MIIC and the Minnesota
Department of Health. MIIC is passwordprotected and accessible only by authorized
users. The data in MIIC are classified as
private and protected by the Minnesota
Immunization Data Sharing Law, Minnesota
Statues, Section 144.3351. Organizations
participating in MIIC must sign a user
agreement that outlines the privacy and
security terms for authorized users.
Can I limit access to my
or my child’s record?
You always have the option to limit access
or opt-out of having your or your child’s
immunization record in MIIC. If you choose
to limit your or your child’s participation in
MIIC you may do so at any time. Options
include:
▪
Declining immunization reminders:
MDH or another public health agency
may use MIIC to help them identify
recommended vaccines and remind you
about these immunizations. You may
choose to decline these immunization
reminders.
▪
Limiting access: An individual may
decide to have their MIIC record
“locked” to their current health care
provider. Once a MIIC record is locked it
cannot be viewed by other
organizations, including other health
care providers, schools, and child cares.
Anyone who decides to lock their MIIC
record may elect to unlock the record at
any time or have it locked to a different
health care provider.
▪
Opting out: An individual may decide to
opt-out of participating in MIIC. After an
individual opts-out of MIIC, the
demographic record is locked so it is not
available to any MIIC users. The record
is not deleted because that is the only
DATA PRIVACY AND MIIC RECORDS
way to ensure users do not re-enroll the
same individual. Anyone who initially
decides to opt-out may elect at a later
time to opt-in. There is no penalty to
choosing not to participate in MIIC.
If you would like to limit your or your child's
participation in MIIC complete the MIIC
Privacy Setting Change Request
(https://apps.health.state.mn.us/redcap/su
rveys/?s=EMYEDFRAKE) or call the MIIC
Help Desk at 651-201-5207.
How do I get notified of
my or my child’s record
being in MIIC?
Letting individuals know that they have a
record in MIIC is an important part of MIIC
outreach efforts. Individuals are notified
regarding their participation in MIIC and
their right to limit participation in a number
of ways:
▪
▪
Parent Notice of Official Birth Record:
After the birth of a baby, the new
parents/guardians are given a copy of
the “Parent Notice of Official Birth
Record.” On this form is a statement
that notifies the parents/guardians of
their child’s automatic participation in
MIIC. The statement explains that the
information from the child’s birth
record is given to MIIC and also provides
information on how to limit
participation in MIIC. This form is
distributed by most Minnesota counties,
but counties do have the option to
create their own form, too. In the event
of a home birth, the state of Minnesota
gives this form to all parents/guardians.
who to contact for questions or to limit
participation in MIIC.
▪
Clinic and Health Care Locations: Health
care facilities that use MIIC are
responsible for notifying their patients
about their participation in MIIC.
Materials such as MIIC brochures,
posters, and displays are available from
MDH for use in waiting and exam
rooms.
▪
Minnesota Department of Health
Website: Information about MIIC is
available on the MDH website. For more
information on MIIC please see the MIIC
and the Public
(http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc
/immunize/registry/public.html) page.
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Immunization Information Connection
PO Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
651-201-5207
[email protected]
10/2015
To obtain this information
in a different format, call:
651-201-5207.
“Keep Them Safe Vaccinate” brochure:
Many birthing centers give new parents
the “Keep Them Safe Vaccinate”
brochure which provides information on
childhood immunizations, MIIC as a
source for immunization records, and
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