How school nurses can benefit from immunization information systems: information exchange to keep students in school and ready to learn.

Recorded and retrievable information from state immunization information systems (IIS)--previously known as immunization registries--benefits schools- students- families- state and local immunization programs- and the medical home. The National Association of School Nurses (NASN)- the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)- the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)- and the American Immunization Registry Association (AIRA) support state IIS as a way to facilitate immunization compliance- prevent immunization duplications- and sustain high immunization rates. There is much variability from state to state on who can access and/or input data into the IIS. School nurses need to know they can pick up the phone and contact their state IIS- and state IIS personnel need to know that school nurses desire full access to their state registry to view records and record vaccines administered and/or documented by families.