How Can I Benefit From Passport Health’s Vaccine Registry Service?

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So Many Vaccination and Healthcare Options

Many people today take advantage of the myriad options available for obtaining vaccinations and other healthcare services. On-site clinics provided by an employer and the availability of certain vaccines at a local pharmacy or health department are common examples of the decentralized healthcare options available to the modern consumer. Due to circumstance and convenience, consumers increasingly receive vaccines from these alternative options, instead of receiving them from a primary care physician. Indeed, moves to new cities and states are a more common part of modern life than at any time in the past, which makes finding and maintaining a PCP relationship even more challenging. Many adults today do not have a primary care physician in the first place (in fact, according to HealthCentral.com, the average person will see nearly 20 doctors during his or her lifetime!), and, even if a person is one of the few with a PCP, not all healthcare providers offer all potentially needed vaccinations, meaning that multiple sources may be necessary to complete the required and recommended vaccinations for various life events such as starting a new job or school year or a visit to a foreign country. It is no exaggeration to say that having all immunizations administered by one provider is virtually impossible, and having all medical records maintained in one place is just as challenging.

The Importance of Maintaining Your Vaccination History

When your personal vaccination history is unclear, you forfeit the security of knowing your health is protected as it best can be. Additionally, if vaccination records are not properly maintained, you may risk paying unnecessarily for a previously administered vaccination or an antibody titer test, which measure the level of disease antibodies (and hence immunity) in a blood sample. Although convenient and preferable to unnecessary vaccinations, it is not enough to rely on titer tests as a replacement for properly maintained records.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices regularly reviews and updates the recommended vaccination schedules. Many vaccinations require multiple doses with varying dosing schedules, and following this complicated schedule is imperative for maximum protection and immunity. However, the best way to follow this schedule of vaccination best practices is to properly and accurately maintain record of vaccinations already received. Unfortunately, without a central solution for your vaccination records, record maintenance and schedule adherence is incredibly complicated, and you risk your health being compromised as a result.

What is a Vaccine Registry?

Many states and health organizations offer vaccine registries, which are central databases where important vaccination history is stored for ease of access by health professionals. However, even in states that have a system established, guidelines vary, utilization and maintenance of the database is not always required, and taking control of vaccination records often falls back on the patient.

For many, the days of relying on a doctor’s office to maintain all of your medical and vaccination records are a thing of the past, if ever even experienced at all. With the idea of falling back on a single PCP quickly becoming an antiquated and unrealistic option, it is important to seek a trusted solution for your important vaccination records.

Luckily, a trusted solution exists. Passport Health’s proprietary Vaccine Registry not only provides a reliable record keeping solution, but it also facilitates the record sharing process, for both individuals and employers. Records may be added as needed to your medical profile and easily shared with those with a need to know, such as medical professionals or your employer, solely through your expressed consent to release records. Passport Health’s Vaccine Registry provides convenience and peace of mind, is completely free for clients to use, and, crucially, it empowers you to take control of your health through safeguarded and updated records.

Sources
Annals of Internal Medicine: Article on Recommended Immunization Schedule
Health Central: Article on Multiple Providers Seen Per Person
Passport Health: Vaccine Credentialing Management